Ryan Strand

Homeless Philadelphia
In 2009-2010, Philadelphia suffered its worst winter to date. Homeless shelters filled up, almost doubling their capacity. 70 percent of the winter was spent in a state of code blue. This occurs when weather conditions pose serious injury, or fatal threat to those living outside; officials encourage impoverished citizens to seek refuge in shelters. Despite this initiative, many individuals refuse to stay in the provided housing, rather they stay in alleyways, abandoned properties, and encampments. Their opposition to the shelter is based purely on a sense of pride and freedom. To these individuals a shelter is an ugly defeat.