A new study shows a significant increase in the number of homeless dying in Sacramento County.
The Sacramento Regional Coalition to End Homelessness says in an average year 45 homeless people die in the county.
So far this year, 110 have died. The coalition's Bob Erlenbusch says the percentage of violent deaths has also increased; reflecting an increase of prisoners released under re-alignment.
"Between the jail releasing 80-to-100 people a day and hospitals discharging people to the streets, we have institutions that routinely discharge homeless people to the streets 24-hours-a-day."
Erlenbush says half of the people died outside and about 25-percent were women. Both are increases of about 13 percent over a typical year.
The report recommends more funding for homeless programs and more outreach to areas near freeways and mass transit lines.
There is an interfaith service in Sacramento this evening to remember the homeless who have died.
Homeless Deaths Report by Capital Public Radio
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