National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day
A formerly abandoned HUD home – at 1959 H St. NE (21st and H Streets, two blocks north of Benning Road) – has been occupied since 2000 by Homes Not Jails DC, which helps people transitioning out of homelessness. Join the effort to turn this building into permanent low-income housing by taking part in a vigil in memory of the homeless who have died on the streets on Tuesday, Dec. 21, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Those who have died homeless in DC in 2004 (as of Dec. 9) include Fernando Abrero, Zaniel Anderson, Joseph Beck, Bill Cochran, Felicia Connor, Fidel Cruz, Joyce Hall, Anthony Hayes, Diane Little, Russell McNeil, Ray Williams and Dionne. If you know homeless people who have died this year, contact Michael O'Neill at 202/737-6444, ext. 20, or submit names via e-mail or fax (202/737-6445).
The vigil is co-sponsored by the Coalition of Homeless and Housing Organizations, Homes Not Jails DC, the National Coalition for the Homeless, Neighbors Consejo, the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, and the Washington Peace Center.
