A memorial vigil and silent march to recognize those experiencing homelessness in Albuquerque who have died over the past year is scheduled for Dec. 18 in the International District. The annual event coincides with Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day — a national day to mark homeless deaths. This year, more than 180 U.S. cities are expected to participate.
Advocates say accurate mortality data for the homeless population is difficult to pinpoint, and there’s no official national estimate. However, research shows that homelessness increases the risk of death by 60% versus poverty alone, and substantial health risks are faced by those experiencing homelessness even when they are sheltered.
Homeless services providers and health care officials say achieving more accurate data is important to better understand the relationship between homelessness, housing, poverty and health — and to effectively direct public and private funds toward solutions and prevent future deaths.
Each year at Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day events, the names of those who have died are read aloud from a list. In Albuquerque, the list is compiled from various sources, including reports by family members, friends and those working in homelessness services — such as Albuquerque Health Care for the Homeless (AHCH) and the New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness (NMCEH). It is considered a representation of the most accurate mortality data available.
AHCH also maintains a memorial wall at its Downtown campus with the names of those who have died, which are placed on tiles that have been decorated by friends and family members.
Zoe Robb, a planning analyst at NMCEH, said the Dec. 18 vigil will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Compassion Services Center, located at 541 Mesilla St. SE. Those at the vigil will then be invited to take part in a silent march to the Albuquerque Indian Center, located less than a mile away, at 105 Texas St. SE.
Robb said names will be read at 1:45 p.m. After the names are read, those at the event will be invited to add any names that may have been missed, she said.
“For many of the names mentioned, it will be the only commemoration they receive. For all involved, it is a solemn event,” Robb said in an email to City Desk ABQ this week. “It also provides those in attendance with the opportunity to reflect on the trauma that unstable housing and living without a safe place inflicts on people, and to recommit to advocating for policies that increase access to housing and quality health care for our unhoused neighbors.”
Event organizers include AHCH, NMCEH, the Compassion Services Center, the American Indian Center, and other agencies and community groups.
Robb can be contacted at (505) 470-1229 or at zoe-r@nmceh.org.