A recent report prepared for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) by the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) School of Public Health underscores the grave health realities faced by those without stable housing, a study that paints a stark picture of how homelessness cuts lives short and amplifies the risk of violence.
The "Illinois Homelessness Morbidity and Mortality Report 2017-2022" detailed that the average age at the time of death for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) is almost 20 years younger than the general population—56.3 versus 74.2 years, with findings showing an increase of 36.6% in their deaths since the COVID pandemic began, a striking contrast to the 6.1% rise seen in the general population's mortality rates over the same period, this is based on the numbers after accounting for the three waves of COVID in both groups.
In a statement obtained by the IDPH, IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra called housing a critical determinant of health, asserting the severity of the toll taken on unhoused residents by homelessness, while Illinois Chief Homelessness Officer Christine Haley emphasized that "Homelessness is the product of generations of inequitable public policies," and underlined the imperative to transform approaches to housing accessibility.
The report also found PEH were nearly three times more likely to die from homicide compared to the overall population, with a 2.9% to 1% ratio, these statistics not merely serve as data but as a clarion call for policy initiatives and community engagement to bolster support for individuals in dire straits.
Complementing the mortality data, the analysis also delved into hospital utilization amongst individuals facing homelessness, revealing high admission rates, especially those with chronic health conditions, as noted by UIC Research Assistant Professor Dana Madigan.
Following the release of these findings, Illinois has committed a substantial $290 million in its 2025 fiscal year budget for homelessness interventions, a move aimed at tackling the issues laid bare by the report; and IDPH, partnered with the UIC School of Public Health, has already taken steps to disseminate this information, hosting a webinar to hash out and discuss potential policy changes, a recording of which is available here.
