Community members and homeless services organizations gathered on the night of Dec. 21, 2023, for a Houseless Day of Remembrance memorial in honor of people who lost their lives while homeless this year. The event is recognized annually on the first day of winter — the longest night of the year.
The candlelight vigil came one day after Multnomah County and Street Roots released the 2022 Domicile Unknown report, which revealed that 315 people died in Multnomah County without a home of their own in 2022.
Attendees read the names of loved ones who had died last year, as well as shared calls to action to prevent future deaths on the streets. Service providers and mutual aid groups provided attendees with a hot meal, hygiene supplies and life-saving cold weather gear including hats, gloves, tarps and sleeping bags.
The event was hosted by Sisters of the Road, Ground Score Association, PDX Saints Love, and the Joint Office of Homeless Services, with support from other organizations including Street Roots, Meals on Us PDX, Central City Concern, Hygiene4All, Wapato Island Farm, the Everly Project and Rose Haven.
