The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), in partnership with the People for Fairness Coalition (PFFC), is hosting the 12th Annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day—a powerful observance and vigil to honor the lives lost this year due to the tragedy of homelessness in Washington, D.C.

Taking place on December 21st, the winter solstice and the longest night of the year, this solemn day serves as a moment for collective reflection, memorial, and renewed commitment to ending homelessness and preventing needless deaths caused by the lack of housing.

Donald Whitehead, Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless, shared, "Every year, I am profoundly saddened by the staggering number of lives lost within the homeless community. It is heartbreaking to consider that many of them passed away unnamed and unseen, victims of a frayed safety net in desperate need of repair."

This year’s Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day will feature a series of impactful programs designed to advocate for change, remember those we have lost, and mobilize our community to build a more compassionate and equitable future.

As Donald stated, "Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is our way of restoring their humanity—acknowledging their names, their lives, and their roles as fathers, mothers, daughters, and sons who should not have died on the streets of our nation."

Event Details:

Date: December 21, 2024

Time: 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G Street NW, Washington, D.C.

The observance concludes with the "Remembering and Honoring Lives Lost While Unhoused" program, featuring:

A reading of names of individuals who died in D.C. without housing in 2024.
Remarks from local faith leaders, community advocates, and invited speakers, including Donald Whitehead (Executive Director, NCH) and Rachelle Ellison (PFFC).
A community meal, coordinated by PFFC, fostering solidarity between housed and unhoused neighbors.

Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day is more than a memorial—it’s a rallying cry to end the injustice of homelessness and to honor the hopes, dreams, and dignity of those we’ve lost.

Join us in standing together to ensure that no one is forgotten and that every voice contributes to a more just and equitable future.

Together, let us honor those lost and commit to building a more just and equitable society.

About National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day:

National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day takes place each year on the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, usually December 21st. The first Annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day was commemorated in 1990. While we remember those we have lost this year, we cannot let this be the start of another year of growing homelessness.

*To learn more about Homelessness Person’s Memorial Day, please hit the link below.