10 hours 56 minutes ago by Aja Goare - Q2 News

BILLINGS - At least one homeless person dies each month in Billings, and the bone-chilling winter temperatures play a large part.

The homeless who have died were remembered on the front lawn of the Yellowstone County Courthouse on Friday for the 21st annual Homeless Vigil.

About 100 people attended the vigil with luminaries in hand.

Friday is the longest day and shortest night of the year, marking the start of winter, the hardest time to survive for the homeless.

Health is a major factor in homelessness, RiverStone Healthcare officials said, as those without a home tend to die 30 years earlier on average than the typical life expectancy.

Clarence Salley, RiverStone's case manager for homeless health care, pointed to exposure as a huge factor contributing to poor health.

And once these individuals have been afflicted by poor health, they generally cannot afford to seek treatment.

RiverStone's Healthcare for the Homeless program has helped more than 2,100 people in the last year.

During the vigil, RiverStone's CEO John Felton said the community should use the term "people experiencing homelessness," not "homeless people."

Read more:
Candlelight vigil sheds light on dimming life expectancy of homeless

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