The number of Illinois residents who live on the street, in their cars, and with relatives has dropped 15% since 2007. That's according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's latest report on homelessness.
That statistic and others portray a level of progress. But they also obscure the pain and suffering of those who continue to live here without a place to call home.
Here's Benjamin Payne's portrait of Ashley Hubbard of Rock Island, who says homelessness is as easy to fall into as it is hard to get out of: