Report: 88 homeless people died in Multnomah County in 2015

PORTLAND – A new report shows that at least 88 homeless people died in Multnomah County last year, and more than half of them were found dead outside.

KGW-TV reported that data released Friday shows the number of homeless deaths spiked about 57 percent last year, from 56 deaths in 2014.

County officials said there were likely more homeless deaths that may not been counted.

At least 279 homeless people have died since Multnomah County began counting in 2011. The report is based on data from the Oregon State Medical Examiner.

Dr. Paul Lewis with Multnomah County Health said the causes of death suggests virtually all were preventable, premature, or both.

Most of the people who died were men. The youngest was 17, the oldest was 78.

Half of the deaths involved alcohol or drugs and half did not.