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Huntington Beach Raises Awareness on Homelessness

A poignant painting representing the struggle of homelessness, capturing the viewer's attention.

News Summary

Huntington Beach artist Chapman Hamborg used a misunderstanding involving a police response to raise awareness about homelessness. After being mistakenly reported as homeless while out with his daughter, he turned the incident into an advocacy campaign. Hamborg is selling prints of his painting ‘Unseen Paths’ to support initiatives combating homelessness in Orange County. He and a community partner will host events to further discuss this pressing issue as residents express concern about rising homelessness in the area.

Huntington Beach Raises Awareness on Homelessness

Huntington Beach artist Chapman Hamborg has transformed a misunderstanding involving a police response into a significant awareness campaign addressing homelessness. Last month, while walking with his infant daughter, Hamborg was mistakenly reported as homeless by a concerned neighbor.

The incident unfolded on Good Friday, when Hamborg, dressed in worn clothes and sporting long hair in a bun, ventured out to provide his wife, Hannah, a break. His attire, including one slipper that had a hole in it, raised concerns that led the neighbor to call law enforcement. Police arrived at the scene and requested Hamborg’s identification. Shocked by the situation, he posted a video on social media explaining the misunderstanding while he searched for his ID. The video quickly went viral, amassing nearly 2 million likes and over 32,000 comments on Instagram.

Using the Incident to Combat Homelessness

In light of the incident, Hamborg decided to turn this unfortunate misunderstanding into a broader conversation on homelessness. He is selling limited edition prints of his painting, “Unseen Paths,” which reflect the themes of the experience he encountered. To further his cause, Hamborg pledged that 20% of the proceeds from sales will go to support the Orange County United Way’s ongoing initiatives to combat homelessness.

The painting features invasive yellow mustard flowers in the background, adding a striking and darker undertone to the imagery. Hamborg indicated his aim is to merge the visuals of his artwork with real conversations surrounding the challenges faced by unhoused families. He is collaborating with Becks Heyhoe-Khalil, the executive director of the Orange County United Way’s United to End Homelessness initiative, to amplify the message.

Upcoming Events and Community Engagement

As part of his campaign, Hamborg and Heyhoe-Khalil are scheduled to participate in an upcoming event at the Orange County Museum of Art titled “Conversations with Artists” on June 4 at 4 p.m. The duo will also host a livestream event called “Art and Advocacy: A Studio Conversation with Chapman Hamborg” on June 21 at 9 a.m. to discuss the intersection of art and social issues.

Context of Homelessness in Orange County

The concern about homelessness is pervasive in Orange County, as indicated by a recent UCI-OC poll, which found that 71% of residents perceive homelessness as a serious issue. As of March, there were 410 families with 715 children experiencing homelessness in the region. Urgent measures are needed; emergency housing vouchers, implemented in 2021, are anticipated to deplete their funding next year, further complicating the situation.

Hamborg’s video portraying the misunderstanding inspired a notable reaction, with over two-thirds of more than 500,000 poll respondents stating they would not have perceived him as homeless based on his appearance. Although he understands the neighbor’s concern for safety, Hamborg highlights the intricate realities of homelessness and the nuances of parenting in those circumstances. This experience has attracted considerable media attention, including coverage from various outlets, positioning him as a prominent voice in the homelessness discourse.

Through his artistic endeavors, Hamborg aims to challenge the societal assumptions surrounding homelessness while spurring community dialogue and action to address the issue effectively. His initiative not only sheds light on the complexities of homelessness but also emphasizes the importance of understanding and compassion within the community.