REGINA — On a cold February evening in Pat Fiacco Plaza, Regina will pause together to honour the lives of people lost while experiencing homelessness, a silent crisis that has challenged the Queen City for years.
For the 10th annual Regina Homeless Memorial, hosted by Phoenix Residential Society and its Homeless Memorial Committee, the community will gather Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to commemorate dozens of neighbours whose names might otherwise be forgotten.
The ceremony will include heartfelt remarks from community advocates, individuals with lived experience, and supporters who light candles and share powerful moments of reflection. The goal is to honour the memories of those who have died and to raise awareness about the ongoing struggle of people experiencing homelessness in the city.
A Point‑In‑Time (PIT) count found 767 people experiencing homelessness in 2025, including unsheltered, shelter‑dependent, and “hidden homeless” individuals in motels or couch surfing, a slight decrease from 824 in 2024 but still deeply concerning to service providers. Advocates emphasize that these numbers are only part of the story, with many more lives affected beyond what a single night count can capture.
Organizers received 133 names this year to read and honour during the ceremony, yet they acknowledge this likely under-represents the total number lost to homelessness — deaths connected to extreme weather, chronic health challenges, addictions and gaps in community supports.
“This year we are hosting our 10th Annual Homeless Memorial to remember those who have lost their lives as a result of homelessness,” said Mallory Sprawson, director of operations at Phoenix Residential Society and chair of the Homeless Memorial Committee. “We gather to honour the memories of those who have gone, increase visibility of the current homelessness crisis, and hopefully to inspire change and action.”
The event’s purpose goes beyond mourning. It provides a space for collective grief, remembrance and reflection — acknowledging that each person lost had a life, a name, a story — and that the pain of homelessness touches families, friends and communities across Regina.
Homelessness advocacy groups say the issue remains a pressing crisis in Regina, with increases over recent years prompting city council to officially declare a homelessness crisis in 2025. They argue that rising numbers, limited shelter capacity, soaring housing costs and barriers to mental health and addiction supports continue to leave many without safe, stable homes.
