NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS' REMEMBRANCE DAY

National Homeless Persons' Remembrance Day

NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS' REMEMBRANCE DAY

National Homeless Persons' Remembrance Day on the first day of winter remembers those in the homeless community who have died the previous year. The day reminds us to honor them and remember the life they lived. 

#HomelessPersonsRemembranceDay

Homelessness is a year-round concern for many. Winter increases the anxiety associated with finding shelter. During the holidays, the media focus their attention on raising awareness and improving opportunities. It's an ideal time to garner a publicforumfor the issue,andlocalgroupsareencouraged to seekoutandworkwiththeirlocalmediaoutlets to publicizetheevent.

From state to state, the quality and availability of homeless shelters vary. The number of homeless in each state will vary as well. However, according toendhomelessness.org, 553,742 people experience homelessness on a given night. Unsheltered homelessness is increasing.  

Many of their families don't know where they are. When they become sick or injured and they die in an ER or in the street, their families don't know. Sometimes, they left for a reason or had nowhere else to go. No matter what their story was, they deserve a ceremony to remember them.

HOW TO OBSERVE HOMELESS PERSONS' REMEMBRANCE DAY

The day encourages localgroupsacrossthecountry to determinethenumber of homelesspersons in theircommunitywhodied in thepreviousyear. Arrange a ceremony to rememberthem.Candlelightmarches,vigils,gravesideservices,playsandperformances,religiousservices,andpublicpolicyadvocacyarethesuggestedways of remembering. Somegroupshavereadpublicly a list of names of thedeceased. Use #HomelessPersons'RemembranceDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL HOMELESS PERSONS' REMEMBRANCE DAY HISTORY

Since1990,theNationalCoalitionfortheHomelessandtheNationalHealthCarefortheHomelessCouncilhavesponsoredNationalHomelessPersons'RemembranceDay to bring attention to theplight of thenation'shomelesspopulationand to encouragethepublic to act on theirbehalf.

CONTACTS:
NationalCoalitionfortheHomeless
2201 P St.N.W.
Washington,D.C.20037
202-462-4822;fax:202-462-4823

Homeless FAQ

Q. What causes homelessness?
A. Many factors can come together to cause a person or family to become homeless. Violence in the home, addiction, mental illness, or living paycheck to paycheck can all be a prescription for homelessness.

Q. Is there a solution to homelessness?
A. Communities and governments have taken several approaches to solve the issue of homelessness. Some communities have taken a Housing First approach. Housing first policies support individuals and families from shelter to transitional to permanent housing. Having an address where one is safe and secure is a foundation of beginning again. Another method of addressing homelessness is called the "systems approach." This method requires the coordination of services, programs, and services to reduce or prevent homelessness. Some of the areas in this coordinated effort include housing, healthcare, education, treatment programs, and more.

DATES
December 21
Check back in 2031 for a date change.