Their Lives Mattered: A Vigil for Those Lost to Homelessness.
Last year, on National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter (MATS) board members stood on the steps of the Peterborough Town House to honor friends, neighbors, and strangers who lost their lives before finding a way out of homelessness in New Hampshire. Only a few community members joined us. One woman said she came because if people had to spend the night outside in such bitter cold, the least she could do was stand with them for half an hour. Her presence meant more than she knew.
The need across New Hampshire, and in our Monadnock region has only grown. In January 2025, the state recorded 1,754 people living in shelters, an increase of 88 from the previous year. Another 672 individuals were counted as unsheltered, up 73 from 2024. Hillsborough County alone accounted for 1,052 unhoused people. With the statewide rental vacancy rate remaining below one percent and affordable housing and housing vouchers increasingly out of reach, more individuals and families are facing homelessness across New Hampshire.(https://nashua.inklink.news/2025-point-in-time-homelessness-count-up-from-2024-in-nashua-and-the-state/)
Death by homelessness is an escalating crisis. In 2025, exposure to the elements and untreated health conditions were among the leading causes of death for people experiencing homelessness. In March, Eddy Rayno froze to death in his tent in Manchester. In October, Jillian Collins was killed near an encampment in Concord. In November, an unnamed individual in Manchester died following a mental health crisis. These are not isolated tragedies—they are the result of systemic gaps in housing, healthcare, and mental health support.
On December 21st, MATS will gather once again to remember Eddy, Jillian, and all those—named and unnamed—who died while experiencing homelessness. By coming together as a community, we help raise awareness and remind the public and policymakers that homelessness is not just a housing issue—it is a life-and-death issue. Access to affordable housing and healthcare saves lives.
We invite you to join the MATS board and members of our community to honor those who lost their lives in 2025 because they lacked the safety and stability everyone deserves. Yes, it may be cold outside—but imagine spending that night in a car, or alone in a tent during a winter storm.
Your presence ensures these lives are remembered. Your voice helps protect those still experiencing homelessness in our region. Together, we can shine a light on the urgency of this crisis—and work toward a future where no one is forgotten.
Event Details The MATS Candlelit Vigil will take place on the steps of the Peterborough Town House in Peterborough, NH, on December 21st, 2026, from 4:00–4:30 pm. We will read the names and stories of those who died in 2025, sing in their memory, and reflect on how we—as a community—can help end homelessness and create safer, more hopeful futures for all.