Vigil held Monday in memory of deaths among homeless

A vigil will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday in tribute to the 15 homeless individuals who died in the Charlotte area during the past year.

Organizers said the causes of death varied from long-term health concerns to violent attacks, but the trauma and vulnerability of their homeless lifestyle played a role in their deaths.

In addition, the event will pay respect to 12 formerly homeless people who died while living in housing programs created to get the most unhealthy homeless people off the streets. “While we recognize their passing, we also celebrate that they were housed,” said Liz Clasen-Kelly of the Urban Ministry Center.

The event will be held outside the Homeless Resource Center, located at 618 N. College St. in uptown Charlotte.

The public is welcome. The event is hosted by the Homeless Services Network and the Housing Advisory Board of Charlotte-Mecklenburg. November is Homeless Awareness Month.

This story was originally published November 23, 2015 at 6:38 AM with the headline "Vigil held Monday in memory of deaths among homeless."