Brain injury is almost 10 times more common among unhoused people and linked to homelessness

Research finds more than half of people experiencing homelessness have had a brain injury, and about 22.5% live with moderate or severe injuries — nearly ten times the rate in the general population.

On any given night in Canada, tens of thousands of people are without stable housing. Research reported by the CORTEX Lab at the University of Victoria finds that brain injury is common in this population and often occurred before people became unhoused. Cognitive and functional impairments after brain injury can affect memory, concentration, decision-making and daily tasks. The article and its authors describe systemic barriers that make accessing care and housing difficult for people with brain injuries. Key findings: - More than half of people experiencing homelessness have had a brain injury at some point in their lives. - An estimated 22.5% of this group live with moderate or severe brain injuries, a rate reported as nearly ten times higher than in the general population. - Brain injury can precede homelessness and is associated with cognitive and executive-function challenges that affect employment, relationships, and daily functioning. - Systemic barriers cited include stigma, siloed health and housing services, long wait-lists, complex application processes, and limited availability of affordable and supportive housing. Summary: The reported association between brain injury and housing instability highlights gaps across health and housing systems and the need for sustained coordination. Researchers and community partners outline priorities including accessible and affordable housing, enhanced resources for service providers, needs-based supports, improved cross-sector collaboration, and public education. Bill C-206, described in the article, is presented as a legislative step toward a national strategy on brain injuries in Canada.