News

Seattle photographer takes special portraits to help homeless

Rex Hohlbein & portraits from "Facing Homelessness."

SEATTLE — Seattle photographer Rex Hohlbein takes special, narrative portraits of the city’s homeless.

His work is colorless, stark and intimate. Facial portraits: close to the skin and wrinkles.

Recorded as well are personal histories that work to develop connections between audience and subject.

Hohlbein, executive director of "Facing Homelessness," calls the Seattle project's Facebook page an "empathy wishing well."

This title because, in addition to providing narrative, the posts offer tangible options for relief & support -- utilizing staff as intermediaries that connect homeless individuals with members of the public who offer assistance [electrical work, for instance -- as needed by Jacyln, featured here, or funding a Greyhound bus ticket -- as needed by Mo.]

vehicleHOMES:Yesterday a string of vehicleHOMES along Ewing Street were visited by Seattle Police officers; one of the...

Posted by Facing Homelessness on Thursday, January 7, 2016

Mo was depressed, "at his wits end," and in need of loving family -- an uncle in Columbus, Ohio. Within 30 minutes, the page's community members had raised enough money for his bus ticket.

For six years, every request brought to attention over the page has been granted.

"It's really quite phenomenal," said Hohlbein. "It's one story after another of people reaching out, connecting, and helping someone through a crisis moment."

heavyHEART:Mo is a beautiful person, 39 years old, originally from Ivory Coast, moved to Seattle in 1999, we've been...

Posted by Facing Homelessness on Tuesday, January 26, 2016

There is an excess of 1,000 portraits.

A portrait from Jan. 24 features Matthew, living in a van -- an accomplished chef who worked in high-end restaurants until anxiety forced his resignation.

Half a year ago Matthew cooked dinner for 12 people at a local home. The table, filled with hot food, was surrounded by smiling bodies.

beautifulPERSON:Matthew is homeless, living in his van, but you'd never know it; his charm, smile, good nature and...

Posted by Facing Homelessness on Sunday, January 24, 2016

Hohlbein was once an architect.

He had a practice for 28 years. When he moved into a new Fremont office -- a house on the Burke-Gilman Trail along the ship canal -- he started meeting homeless people: "morning coffees, lunch breaks and such."

During these encounters, his stereotypes were dissolved by the kindness & intelligence of those he met.

He offered them use of the bathroom in his office.

Word spread quickly; soon the homeless were coming all day long.

They were respectful. "Their kindness created more kindness within me," said Hohlbein.

It became impossible to turn anyone away.

"Facing Homelessness" is expanding. Residents of eleven cities are now working in collaboration with the founding page in Seattle.

It's Hohlbein's dream to have a page in every city -- circulating portraits of the homeless that "continually push the beauty of that person."

"The issue of homelessness is really a symptom of a failed community," says Hohlbein. "We cannot just keep focusing on our own personal gain. ... We have to actually start acting in a way that takes care of everyone."

What can you do to help?

"What we can all give is love," says Hohlbein. "You don't need a big solution for the big problem. You can start just very, very simply. Very small. Acknowledging that person with eye contact or a smile. Or just say hello."

Friday, Jan 29. was King County’s annual One Night Count.

Volunteers fanned out across King Co. to count the number of homeless men, women & children—between 2 and 5 a.m.

"Facing Homelessness" runs on individual acts of kindness: a big, beautiful culmination of many small parts.

"It just matters that [you’re doing] something,” says Hohlbein. “We think of it as this level line. On one end of the line is just saying hello. On the other end is something extreme -- like bringing someone into your home to live with you. In between those two points are 7 billion plus docking points."

Want to talk about the news of the day? Join the conversation on KIRO 7’s Facebook page.