For thirty years, December 21st has been observed as National Homeless Memorial Day. The 21st is the Winter Solstice, the day of longest darkness…a fitting day to honor the lives and mourn the passing of those who died homeless this past year.
Last night, the People for Fairness Coalition held a vigil to mark Homeless Memorial Day here in the nation’s capital. Tragically, at least 81 of our neighbors have died this year without the dignity of having a home. That’s 81 sons and daughters, brothers, sisters, moms, dads…and friends. 81 DC residents who might have been spared an untimely death had our community not failed to meet the housing needs of its lowest income members.
We long for the day when no lives will be lost to homelessness. In the meantime, the greatest honor that we can pay to those who died this past year is to re-commit ourselves to doing all that we can to ensure that every District resident has a place to call home. We invite you to join us on this journey to a more just DC.
