The photographs and captions have been republished with the photographer’s permission. Chris Arnade is a New York City-based photographer who focuses on addiction. His incredible set on the homeless living in Hunts Point draws out the human side of these neglected, oft-looked down on individuals. Paired with gritty commentary, Arnade reveals, with his photographs, that these drug-addicted men are women are human too, once with a home, a family, children, with the capacity to love and be loved. Visit his Flickr page for more photographs.

1. Vanessa

Vanessa, thirty-five, had three children with an abusive husband. She “lost her mind, started doing heroin,” after losing the children, who were taken away and given to her mother. The drugs led to homelessness and prostitution. She grew up on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, but now spends her time in Hunts Point, “trying to survive everyday. Just doing whatever it takes.” She was standing on the cold street corner looking for business, wearing only flip flops and smoking with her two friends. When I asked her how she wanted to be described, Mary Alice jumped in and said “She’s the sweetest woman I know. She will give you the shirt off her back, if she has one on.”

2. Jay