Sans Houses

2013-01-01T12:22:00.000-06:00

This project utilizes photography, sound, and relationship to attempt to capture a piece of those in and around the homeless community in Nashville, Tennessee.

All photos and interviews © 2006-2012. Please do not use or reproduce.

Thanks go out to all of these individuals for their openness, kindness and trust.

Newest Images - Color:

2012-12-31T01:00:00.008-06:00

These images are a continuance of my original work. Most of the subjects are homeless and formerly homeless writers and/or vendors of The Contributor and/or subjects for articles in the paper.

These photographs are full-frame digital shots from a Nikon D300.

©2009-2012 Tasha French

Anita

2011-11-09T11:52:00.007-06:00

Anita, The Contributor Vendor, Friend

David

2011-11-09T11:52:00.005-06:00

David, Vendor, The Contributor

Antonio "The Waver"

2011-11-09T11:51:00.001-06:00

Antonio "The Waver", Vendor, The Contributor

Ricky

2011-11-09T11:50:00.003-06:00

Ricky, Vendor, The Contributor

James "Shorty"

2011-11-09T11:48:00.001-06:00

James "Shorty", Vendor, The Contributor

Charles & Malik

2010-07-03T12:07:00.000-05:00

Grateful participants in Safe Haven Family Shelter's program.

Tent City Flood

2010-05-04T21:29:00.002-05:00

John, displaced homeless camp resident, sits at his campground by the Cumberland River at "Tent City" in Nashville, TN, only 2 days before the entire campground was completely destroyed. Everything here is now under feet of contaminated river water, sewage and diesel fuel.

Bobby, displaced homeless camp resident, stands by what is left of the back of "Tent City" in Nashville, TN, while Jeannie Alexander, pastor and homeless outreach worker looks on.

Ray Ray sits by what is left of the entrance to "Tent City" in Nashville, TN. Tent City has existed in this location, behind Inner City Ministries, for more than 20 years. The latest camp population reached nearly 150 individuals.

Some of the remnants of "Tent City".

David & Ann

2010-03-20T00:39:00.001-05:00

Formerly-homeless writers and vendors for The Contributor.

Fred & Lee

2010-03-20T00:36:00.001-05:00

Ray

2010-03-20T00:34:00.000-05:00

Formerly-homeless writer and vendor for The Contributor.

Clark

2010-03-20T00:30:00.007-05:00

Formerly-homeless writer and vendor for The Contributor.
Clark passed away on Friday, July 15, 2011. He is greatly missed.

Kevin

2010-03-20T00:29:00.000-05:00

Formerly-homeless writer and vendor for The Contributor.
You can read from Kevin on his blog at thehomelessguy.blogspot.com.

Jerry

2010-03-20T00:20:00.001-05:00

Formerly-homeless writer and vendor for The Contributor.

Images from 2009 - Color:

2009-08-20T12:07:00.002-05:00

Most of the following images were part of my work for a public awareness campaign for Nashville's Metropolitan Homelessness Commission www.thekeyalliance.org.

These photographs are full-frame digital shots - from a Nikon D300 or D70.

Keysha & Mary

2009-08-19T12:30:00.001-05:00

_TAF9939.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Nathan

2009-08-19T12:11:00.002-05:00

_TAF9754.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Carl

2009-08-16T14:28:00.001-05:00

_TAF9420.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Johnny

2009-08-16T14:24:00.002-05:00

_TAF9577.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Wayne

2009-08-16T14:23:00.003-05:00

_TAF9741.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Ron

2009-08-16T14:15:00.005-05:00

_TAF9659-Edit.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Buddy & Shelly

2009-08-09T22:04:00.004-05:00

Buddy and Shelley live together in a campground that they intend to build a church and get married in.

Update: They have now gotten married and have moved into an apartment.

Nikki

2009-08-09T12:03:00.008-05:00

Nikki4.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Nikki grew up in housing projects and experienced homelessness as a teenager (15) when she left home and slept porch to porch, house to house, anywhere someone would allow.

She barely graduated from high school with a low GPA and was denied entrance into college. However, MTSU admitted her when she wrote a letter to them explaining her situation and desire to further her education. She got her bachelor's in Human Relations (3.0 GPA) and is now currently pursuing her Master's of Counseling at Trevecca with a 3.4 GPA.

Having already two failed pregnancies and pregnant again at the age of 20, she reconciled with her mother and moved in with her in housing projects and had her son - who is now healthy, smart and 12 years old. He is doing very well in school.

At 21 years old, she became a Christian and started having Bible studies with local youth. She got a job with NES, which she kept for 8 years, got out of debt and purchased a house (at 25) all from the projects.

3 months after she moved into her new house, 2 kids from the housing projects called and needed a place to stay. She let them move in with her. She recently opened a house in East Nashville for aged-out of foster care girls.

Currently there are 3 girls, and a house mom, living there. The capacity is 5 girls. "It's my mission to reach back to those girls who are like I was." She is opening another house in Murfreesboro.

Nikki won the Bank of America local hero award of $5K last year. She is now working with her girls full-time. It costs about $300 per girl per month to house them. She is working off of individual donations.

James

2009-08-09T12:01:00.006-05:00

James2.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

At the age of 18 James was homeless for 10 months and then joined the circus for 2 years. He's not addicted to drugs and doesn't drink. Due to a felony theft (his first and only criminal charge) he spent 90 days in jail during which time he lost his apartment, job and dog, leading to this current span of homelessness.

Nita

2009-08-09T12:01:00.005-05:00

Nita3.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Nita is a graduate of Entrepreneurial Guidance Center and is a former business owner several times over. Some of the self-described reasons for her homelessness are bad choices mixed with addiction (alcoholism) and abuse (domestic violence), major depression and physical limitations. She is an advocate in the community for survivors of domestic violence. She ministers to others at the bus terminal - praying with them and meeting some needs, when she can, such as food, money and clothes. She currently lives out. "It's challenging every day, but I go on and trust in God for total deliverance."

Tony & Quita

2009-08-09T12:00:00.002-05:00

TonyQuita4.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Tony has been homeless since October 2008. He was a live-in maintenance man at an apartment complex in exchange for free rent and utilities. Ownership changed hands and he was informed "We don't need no live-in maintenance man." He is a culinary chef and uses the computers at the library to fill out job applications. "I just hope somebody calls us back one day." He was just kicked out of an abandoned house he and his wife, Quita, were squatting in.

Quita has been with Tony since 2007. She has 10 years of experience in fast food management.

Renata

2009-08-09T11:58:00.001-05:00

Renata2.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

"I'm a better person for experiencing this. It's not all about me."

Renata has been homeless for 3 years. She struggles with depression and addiction stemming from automobile death of her only child - a 22-year-old daughter.

"She was the light of my life. My best friend."

Momma

2009-08-09T11:56:00.001-05:00

Momma2.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Joann is homeless again since July 4, 2009. She was living in James Robertson for 3 1/2 years before that. Even when she had housing, she would come out and help homeless people. "If I had a little bit of money, I'd give it to 'em." She liked to bake cakes. She makes yarn coasters and crosses.

John

2009-08-09T11:55:00.004-05:00

John4.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Honorably-discharged Air Force veteran. John has no history of drug or alcohol abuse or mental illness. He has been homeless off and on for 15 years - this time for 6 months. He is a high school graduate and completed some technical college. He desires more education. John needs a place to stay (transitional) until he can find a job. Sleeps out.

David

2009-08-09T11:55:00.003-05:00

David3.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

First time homeless. He owned a condo in Bellevue and got laid off from his job in drywall construction the day after Thanksgiving 2008. 3rd week of February 2009, he lost his home and wife and started staying at the Mission. He has arthritis/degenerative joint disease in both knees. David hopes to get his CDL back and go OTR. He is currently drawing unemployment.

Dr. John

2009-08-09T11:54:00.002-05:00

DrJohn4.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Homeless since 12/26/05. John struggles with depression. He used to be a track star in school. "I'll sleep on the ground - I'll sleep almost anywhere." His back has a pinched nerve and he's trying to get SSI. " There's a lot wrong with my body - it's getting old, it's breaking down."

Tim

2009-08-09T11:52:00.001-05:00

Tim3.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Following a divorce, Tim lived in an Antioch campsite for a time before moving in with an East Nashville friend. Due to layoffs, they are now facing threats of eviction. Tim has applied at more than a dozen local places looking for work. He has a bachelor's in Anthropology and is a writer, explorer, adventurer and spiritual guide. He has never had a driver's license. Tim struggles with depression/dysthymia.

Katrina and Joanna

2009-08-09T11:51:00.002-05:00

Armstrong1.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

"It's hard. You don't ever know what's gonna happen." Katrina was homeless for 5 months recently in a tent with a friend. She didn't know if she'd ever be able to be with her daughter. After seeing an article written about them (in The Contributor) a woman offered to have Katrina and Joanna move in with her. Katrina hopes to get her own place and be able to take care of Joanna like she needs to.

Papa Smurf

2009-08-09T11:50:00.002-05:00

PapaSmurf3.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Papa Smurf has been in a campsite for a year and brings a spirit of hospitality & innovative creativity to his community. "I'll give you anything I've got here. I'd give you the shirt off my back if you want."

Shirley

2009-08-09T11:49:00.003-05:00

Shirley6.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Formerly homeless.
Survivor and Advocate.

Eileen

2009-08-09T11:49:00.001-05:00

Eileen2.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Recovering alcoholic, survivor of sever domestic violence. Homeless going on 2 years.

"If I'm anything, I'm, resilient."

Tee Tee

2009-08-09T11:47:00.001-05:00

Tee3.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Homeless woman without custody of children due to lack of ability to find housing.

Dumas

2009-08-09T11:45:00.001-05:00

Dumas2.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Transitioning into housing.

Also see an older photograph and audio interview way down below!

Joe

2009-08-09T11:44:00.001-05:00

Joe.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.
Transitioning into housing.

Lisa

2009-08-09T11:43:00.001-05:00

Lisa.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.
Transitioning into housing.

Teresa

2009-08-09T11:42:00.002-05:00

Theresa1.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Very open spirit. 9 years homeless.

"Home is where you hang your heart. It's not about a structure at all." Transitioning into housing.

David

2009-08-09T11:41:00.003-05:00

Family1.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Veteran. 1 1/2 years homeless. Living in a campsite with his wife, daughter and future son-in-law. Came to Nashville on a false job promise.

Jacque

2009-08-09T11:40:00.002-05:00

Jacqueline3.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Jacque sleeps out on the street. Wants to go home to Oregon.

"I'm trying to make the best of this."

Chuck

2009-08-09T11:38:00.002-05:00

Chuck3.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Formerly homeless gardener and writer.

Charles

2009-08-09T11:37:00.001-05:00

Charles1.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.
4 years homeless New Year's eve. Getting married for the first time.

Glenn

2009-08-09T11:36:00.002-05:00

Glenn2.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Homeless 8 years. Sleeps out downtown. Leg amputation following staff infection following knee replacement.

James

2009-08-09T11:35:00.002-05:00

JamesB2.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.

Homeless 8-10 years. Sleeps out downtown.

Steven

2009-08-09T11:33:00.001-05:00

Steven1.jpg, originally uploaded by frenchpress.
Homeless about 1 year. Starting to learn to play the guitar. Couch-hopping or sleeping out.

Older Posts - Black & White:

2007-11-06T12:11:00.006-06:00
All of the following black & white images are scans of full-frame gelatin darkroom prints and were mostly shot with a 35mm Nikon FE2 SLR. Square images were shot with a medium-format Hasselblad c/m.

At the top of many of these posts, you will see a link to a selected audio clip of the interview with that person. The average recorded interview length is about an hour. The clips on this blog are from about 2.5 to 5.5 minutes. Audio recorded with a Marantz PMD660 Digital Flash Media Recorder using an AKG C-900 Cardioid Condenser Mic.

©2007-2008 Tasha French

The Contributor

2007-11-05T19:32:00.000-06:00
This SansHouses project is somewhat on hold.

I have started a homeless newspaper for Nashville: The Contributor.

There will probably be updates here from time to time, but my focus has shifted for the time being.

Mike (Chief)

2007-11-05T19:31:00.002-06:00
Audio Clip of interview with Mike (Chief) 10/20/07:

Colorado

2007-10-08T12:12:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Colorado coming soon:

Mike & Cyndi

2007-09-16T19:09:00.002-05:00
Cyndi passed away the week of February 25, 2008.

Penny

2007-09-16T19:07:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Penny 07/28/07:

Pops

2007-09-16T19:03:00.000-05:00

Randy

2007-07-15T22:40:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Randy 06/19/07:

Perry

2007-06-10T21:44:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Perry 06/07/07 Clip 1:

Clip 2:

Junior

2007-06-10T21:40:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Junior 06/03/07:

Josie

2007-04-25T01:43:00.001-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Josie 04/06/07:

Clip 2:

Olive Oil

2007-03-13T23:58:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Olive Oil 03/11/07:

Bryan, Don and White Cloud

2007-03-13T23:48:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Bryan and Don 03/11/07:

Marilyn & Delmus

2007-02-20T23:13:00.000-06:00
Audio Clip of interview with Marilyn & Delmus 02/15/07:

Tony

2007-01-30T22:42:00.000-06:00
Audio Clip of interview with Tony 01/25/07:

Monika & Curtis

2007-01-23T23:25:00.000-06:00
Audio Clip of interview with Monika 01/18/07

Cathy & Nelson

2006-11-26T18:53:00.000-06:00
Audio Clip of interview with Cathy & Nelson 11/22/06:

Kenneth

2006-11-26T18:50:00.000-06:00
Audio Clip of interview with Kenneth 11/18/06:

Ron

2006-11-15T14:09:00.000-06:00
Audio Clip of interview with Ron 11/14/06 Clip 1:

Clip 2:

Clip 3:

Dumas

2006-09-28T01:02:00.001-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Dumas 09/20/06:

Travis

2006-09-28T01:01:00.001-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Travis 09/16/06:

J.J.

2006-09-28T00:59:00.000-05:00
J.J. Passed away on November 20, 2006.

Audio Clip of interview with J.J. 09/16/06:

Diane

2006-08-01T22:15:00.000-05:00

Cowboy (east)

2006-07-02T23:24:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Cowboy 06/26/06:

Sporadically homeless, Cowboy has been living in a campground under an interstate with his wife for 8 months. In the images below you will see the small house he has constructed as well as a makeshift shower they use attached to a tree.

Ray

2006-07-02T23:13:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Ray 06/23/06:

Jesse

2006-06-20T23:15:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Jesse 06/16/06:

Travis and Rocky

2006-06-14T02:39:00.000-05:00

Jimmy

2006-04-25T00:20:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Jimmy 04/20/06:

Harley

2006-04-14T16:54:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Harley 04/07/06:

Bones

2006-04-14T14:51:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Bones 03/30/06:

Willie

2006-04-14T14:45:00.000-05:00

Ed

2006-04-14T14:44:00.000-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Ed 03/22/06:

Ed currently lives in a campground community under an interstate. In the images below you will see the building he lives in which is constructed from wood and old vinyl advertising banners. In one image, he is burning copper wiring to remove the insulation for a higher sale value. He runs a television and dvd player off of a car battery and has a thriving vegetable garden.

Doc

2006-04-14T14:36:00.000-05:00

Cowboy

2006-04-14T14:28:00.001-05:00
Audio Clip of interview with Cowboy 03/14/06: