Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day honors the New Yorkers who died in 2019

Elected officials, including Queens Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi (second from left), observed Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in Manhattan. Photo courtesy of Care for the Homeless.

By David Brand

Local leaders, advocates and dozens of people experiencing homelessness held glowing candles inside Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church Wednesday evening as they listened to the names and remembrances of 153 homeless New Yorkers who have died in the past year.

The annual Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day honors the individuals who die without stable housing amid New York City’s historic homelessness crisis. Some died anonymously, remembered only by a first name or nickname. Others were killed in high-profile incidents, including a stabbing attack that resulted in the deaths of four men sleeping on a sidewalk in Chinatown.

Cities across the country host the event each year on or near the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year.

Local leaders, including Assemblymember Andrew Hevesi and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson used the occasion to call for more affordable housing for homeless New Yorkers.

 “The answer to homelessness is more permanent, supportive and affordable housing,” Johnson said.

On Thursday, the City Council voted in favor of a measure that would force affordable housing developers who receive city funding to reserve 15 percent of the units for people in homeless shelters.