joshua thaisen
Lost in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is a modern American metropolis that is typically associated with the glamour of Hollywood, celebrities, and endless sunshine, however deep inside the bowels of the city a humanitarian crisis is unfolding. On any given night there are approximately 91,000 people sleeping on the streets of Los Angeles. This photo essay is a portrait of human decay in a city that is being swallowed by social inequality. The characters within convey the collective stories of heartache and hope that run through the veins of the streets. Homelessness in the United States has become a salient symbol of the shortcomings of affordable healthcare and housing in urban areas. Los Angeles County has experienced a 16% rise in homelessness in recent years, as people from all over the nation stream into Skid Row and Hollywood to take advantage of the shelters inside these social service ghettos. These two areas of the city have become the frontline of an ongoing battle for funding, healthcare, and housing. By turning the lens on the journey inside homeless shelters we bare witness the transformation of peoples lives as they re-integrate with mainstream society. Through documenting the full life cycle of homelessness the media can bring hope, humanity, and dignity to the people on the streets, however more importantly, these types of images can empower the homeless community, and illustrate the emotional common ground we share through all of our triumphs and heartache. Seeing the homeless population in this light is intended to reminds us that we are all one, and that we are all vulnerable to loss.