Nearly 600 unhoused people died in metro Phoenix in 2024

• The youngest was a 16-year-old with several medical conditions including cerebral palsy who died of complications linked to heat exposure and drug intoxication.
• The oldest was a 91-year-old with a history of alcohol abuse and diabetes who suffered head trauma from a fall.

The big picture: The annual day of remembrance always falls on the winter solstice — the longest night of the year.

• Several community groups will host a closed memorial service for people who died while experiencing homelessness at Desert Palm United Church of Christ tomorrow evening.

Zoom in: Unhoused people — especially those living outside — are much more likely to experience premature deaths, research shows.

• People experiencing homelessness are obviously at risk of heat exposure because they lack shelter.
• They also have high rates of chronic illnesses, substance abuse and other conditions that are hard to treat without steady housing and can be complicated by heat.

The bottom line: "Let this day be a day of mourning and reflection. But let tomorrow be a day that you take action," the National Alliance to End Homelessness says, encouraging Americans to fight for more affordable housing and service options.