KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — According to KnoxHMIS, around 1,620 people were homeless in Knoxville in the third quarter of 2023. However, the amount of time a person usually spends homeless before finding a home continued to grow, now at 182 days.
On Thursday, the Knoxville community gathered to remember people who died without a home. Community leaders, friends and family members gathered near St. John's Lutheran Church and read the names of those who died over the last year — more than 160 names in total.
It was for Homeless Persons' Memorial Day, a somber day that takes place on Dec. 21 each year — the longest night of the year. Vigils during that day are meant to act as reminders that homelessness can be a matter of life and death.
"We need to remember them, first and foremost., because they lived full lives. Because, they deserve our attention and our respect," said Nate First, Chair of the Knoxville Knox County Homeless Coalition.
KnoxHMIS reports a single cause behind most homelessness, far beating out issues like a lack of employment, mental health or incarceration — the cost of housing. Around 40% of homeless people said they could not find housing they could afford, and 18% said they were evicted from their homes.
"People don't choose to be homeless, things happen. So, it warms my heart to see all these people out here tonight, knowing that we're a community that cares," said Catherine Nance, who attended the vigil.
KnoxHMIS said for every five people who became homeless, two exited Knoxville's system with housing. It warned that average rent in Knoxville was just below $1,500 per month — exceeding the national average and far exceeding the state average.
"We need to measure our community's success more broadly, not just in the homeless services, but more broadly as a community by how many people are on this list every year, and make it a full agenda to reduce that," said First. "Really, what we hope is that you know, this can trigger a fuller response from, you know, the community. This is a long-term issue, it will not be resolved next month, even if we put all of our energy into this."