In 2017 I moved to the historic district of Mt Morris Park in Harlem, surrounded by stunning architecture. European tourists flock here on weekends for the culture and gawk at the charming brownstones. Real estate is hot. Stylish people line up for brunch every weekend. They sip $15 wine and eat $18 hamburgers.
On my morning walks I notice my other neighbors. They sleep just down the street, in our parks and at our churches. They are wrapped up, faces covered, shoes off, resting, recovering, and recharging. Their makeshift shelters provide them with anonymity, darkness and shelter.
The sheer volume of homeless people surrounding me is alarming. We all pass them frequently, yet they are faceless; they are voiceless; they are marginalized.
My work with non-profit organizations opens windows to witness and react to pressing social issues. This project is a collection of photographs depicting our homeless neighbors in New York City.
How can a city of such wealth, with billions of dollars invested in gigantic real estate developments, permit humans to live on its streets? The injustice is cruel. Housing for all is a basic human right. Currently, more families are in homeless shelters now than during the Great Depression. Singapore, Havana and Finland have eradicated homelessness. How can we take responsibility as neighbors, as elected officials, as developers, as investors?
