My part of the United States has been devastated by the financial crisis. After a decade of explosive home-building in the region, the crisis has transformed many communities into ghost towns. Recovery has been slow to come here. Many who moved to this area a decade ago came for the construction jobs. When the foreclosures started, construction halted and thousands lost their jobs. Unemployment is high and shows no sign of improving.
I took this picture during my lunch break. Less than a mile from my office I came across a subdivision of brand new homes built in the last several years. All but three or four of these new homes were boarded up and overgrown by weeds. The entire community is empty save the three or four homes still occupied–and several of them are up for sale. This lonely sofa sat abandoned next to one of these deserted home. It reminds me that the crisis was not some abstract economic concept of credit default swaps and mortgage backed securities; real people, real families are hurting desperately and the hurting seems like it will never end.
5 Comments
Horrible image and sobering commentary. As a society we functioned to long without the desire to face ensuing consequences.
No one should be surprised by the record high unemployment and foreclosures; tremendously saddened yes? surprised no.
Boy that’s true Kala.
I really like the variety of textures. Great shot
Too cool! I love this shot. The light and the contrast.
Thank you!