This publication is designed to provide a practical guide for gaining a detailed awareness and understanding of homelessness. After a foreword by Jesse Jackson, these chapters are included: (1) Introduction: Assessing the Unique Needs of Homeless People (Clemmie Solomon), which discusses the need for helping professionals to commit to addressing the unique needs and challenges of homeless people; (2) Modern American Homelessness (Joan Alker), which describes some of the demographic characteristics of the homeless population; (3) Understanding the Framework of Homelessness (Ronald J. Koshes), which addresses mental health concerns in the context of homelessness through an examination of psychological, sociological, and biological aspects; (4) Advocating in the Public Policy Arena (Richard K. Yep), which reviews the role of human service professionals and public policy officials; (5) Case Management Models and Approaches for Counseling and Working With Homeless People (Phillis W. Cooke), which looks at strategic case management models, their basic functions, and a sample case study; (6) The Role of Helping Professionals: Developing Strategies for Intervention in Homelessness (Alfred L. Cooke), which begins with the basic contention that homelessness is a multifaceted, often intractable, problem that encompasses much more than the absence of a home; (7) The Unique Needs and Concerns of Homeless Women (Mark Rhyns and Hoang-Oanh Rodgers), which focuses on the unique needs and concerns of homeless women; (8) Practical Counseling Techniques: A Training Guide for Counseling Homeless Families (Willie Mae Lewis), which describes practical counseling techniques that can be adapted for curriculum development and training activities; and (9) Conclusion: Responding to the Challenge (Peggy Jackson-Jobe), which highlights implications for helping professionals. The last chapter, compiled by the Research Team of the National Association of State Coordinators for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, lists selected resources. (LLL)