Forty-one homeless individuals died in Santa Barbara County in 2018 — consistent with trends spanning the past seven years. The leading causes of death were cardiovascular disease and drug or alcohol overdose.
The county’s Homeless Death Review Team presented its seventh annual report to the Board of Supervisors Tuesday, and despite the report’s claim that none of the deaths were attributed to the weather, it put pressure on the county to up the ante on homeless shelters.
“This report is sobering. It clearly outlines the need to build more permanent supportive housing and shelter beds,” said Supervisor Gregg Hart.