Eight months ago, after a homeless man was severely burned when his shelter caught fire, photographer Jerry Olson and reporter Jeff Hansel started an in-depth look at a mostly hidden minority in Rochester. They began interviewing homeless people and those at risk of homelessness.

This week the Post-Bulletin presents the first stories based on interviews with about 100 people, including more than 60 people who were homeless at the time they were interviewed.

Social workers, police, educators, health providers, family members, volunteers and aid workers also were interviewed. Although it has not been possible to verify every detail, much of the information presented has been independently checked through discussions with former employers, court documents, police reports, family members, friends and observation.

In future work, Hansel and Olson will explore specific topics related to homelessness, such as brain injury, alcoholism, employment and housing.

Watch the Post-Bulletin and postbulletin.com for stories to be published in the months ahead.