Eyes welled with tears as people lit candles and spoke the names of Santa Clara County homeless residents who died this year at a Friday memorial — a reminder of the harsh reality of living on the streets and the urgency to get more people housed.
From Dec. 1, 2023 to Nov. 30, 197 homeless people died in the county, four fewer deaths than the same time last year. Many lived with health conditions, such as cancer or a heart, liver or lung disease. Roughly a quarter of those who died were over the age of 65, pointing to growing homelessness among older adults. Four infants died this year, as well as two adults over the age of 100.
Of the 197 deaths, methamphetamine was either the cause of death or a significant factor leading to death for 70 people. Fifty people had a cardiovascular disease, 68 had high blood pressure and 13 died of pneumonia. Seven died of suicide. Some causes of death are still pending investigation.
Dozens of people, including elected officials and nonprofit leaders, attended the memorial held at the Boccardo Reception Center in San Jose — the largest emergency homeless shelter in the county.