A memorial service was held in Norwalk Wednesday for National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day.

The service took place at Open Doors on Merritt Street.

National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day takes place each year on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, to honor those who died while homeless.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 326,000 people in America experienced sheltered homelessness on a single night last year.

In Connecticut, the Coordinated Access Network of Fairfield County says from Nov. 1 to now, 367 people, including 45 families, used emergency shelter services across Fairfield County.

Local nonprofits say many emergency shelters are at or near capacity.

The Coordinated Access Network of Fairfield County is calling on the state to dedicate $5 million each year to Connecticut's Cold Weather Emergency Response program.

The program allows the homeless to stay at warming centers when temperatures are dangerously low.