Homeless awareness

Today is Homeless Memorial Day, a national day to commemorate those without homes.

Every year on this day, the first day of winter, groups gather in over 150 cities in the US to call for the end of homelessness.

Here in Philly, homeless advocates and service providers, religious leaders, concerned citizens, city representatives and current and former homeless people will gather for a candlelight vigil at 5:30 p.m. today in Love park. 

According to Project H.O.M.E., the number of homeless persons in Philadelphia has increased since 2000. The most recent street census – a quarterly overnight count of individuals sleeping on the streets – found 352 people in Center City. On that same November night, there were 2,600 people living in emergency shelter, approximately 1,000 of whom were children.

Here’s information on the day of commemoration nationally and locally.