Acute Homelessness is a photographic thesis that sheds light on the daily struggles of individuals experiencing long-term homelessness. Through eight monochromatic images, the series captures both the hardship and resilience of those living without shelter, all united by a shared hope for permanent housing. Some people live in small tent communities with limited resources, while others sleep directly on the streets with no access to basic hygiene, except when able to visit facilities like Henry’s Place for showers. The images reflect not only deprivation, but also the strength it takes to endure such conditions.

With a demographic skew of 7 men to 3 women, the collection of images reflects patterns commonly seen in the homeless population. The black-and-white format was chosen to evoke emotion and strip the visuals to their raw essence, encouraging viewers to see beyond stereotypes and consider the deeper human reality. This work aims to evoke compassion and reflection on how society views and supports those without a place to call home.

-Tonene Ligon Carrierre