Photography by Phoebe Heaton / Text by Keith A. Spencer

The greatest power of the photograph is its ability to pause time. Things that we would not dare stare at for more than a fleeting moment are made still by the shutter — frozen in a moment, forever, compelling us to return to them again and again.

Homelessness is a crisis that needs to be frozen. It is something that is always fleeting from our perception. We look for a second, drop a coin or look away, and then we forget. We step over a body lying prostrate on the sidewalk. We experience moments of remorse or empathy, and then return to our routines.

“The way that most homeless people live on the streets shocks and saddens me. But what I think is even more scary is that, having worked in SOMA for almost a year, I am accustomed to seeing poverty and drug and alcohol abuse on the streets at 10:00 a.m. on a Monday.” — Phoebe Heaton, photographer

How is one of the wealthiest regions in the world incapable of providing the most basic human right to its constituents? Why are billion-dollar companies coddled by our politicians, while the neediest go without shelter?

The status quo is not how it is because of malice or ignorance. It is a matter of organizing. We live in a democracy. These things can change if enough of us stand up and demand that they do.

But they won’t change if we look away.