When is National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day?
National Homeless Persons’ Remembrance Day occurs on the first day of winter.
What is National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day?
The first day of winter brings the longest night of the year. For folks with no shelter from the elements, a long night spent in the cold can be deadly. National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day remembers the homeless people who have died in the last year and promotes policies that will make adequate housing more available.
People fall into homelessness through a variety of circumstances, such as mental illness, addiction, domestic violence, or financial calamities. For instance, the lack of affordable healthcare often leaves families under crushing medical debt after severe injuries, a burden that sometimes leads to eviction.
But we can fight homelessness. Communities can support their homeless neighbors during those times of crisis. Some individuals struggle with chronic or episodic homelessness, but that is often not the case. For many of the homeless, catastrophic events pushed them out of their home, and they only need transitional housing to get back on their feet.
National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day urges us to advocate for the well-being of the homeless.
Facts about National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day!
- An HUD study in 2016 discovered that 549,928 people were homeless on one particular night in January.
- On that same night, almost 40,000 were veterans, and only two thirds were staying in shelters or housing programs.
- In 2016, 35% of homeless people were part of homeless families, up from 15% in 2013.
- More than half of the U.S. homeless population in 2016 were in California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Washington.
- Half the cities in a 2005 survey performed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors said domestic violence was the primary cause for homelessness in their population.
How to celebrate National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day:
- Have your church, community center, or business hold a memorial for people who died while homeless in your community. A candlelight service, a religious service, or a policy advocacy event are fitting options for remembering these lives.
- Find out how many people died while homeless in your community, and spread the word. If that number is not tracked, now is a great time to start.
What’s the hashtag for National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day?
Show your support for the homeless by using #HomelessPersonsMemorialDay on social media.