Major changes affecting New York City's homeless poor in the past 15 months are assessed in this follow-up study to a research project which a year earlier had examined the problems of homeless adults in the city and had made recommendations to deal with these problems. Data were collected through informal interviews, surveys, and observations. Major changes which were found include the following: (1) the Callahan suit, a landmark case settled in the New York State Supreme Court, recognized the right to shelter and set guidelines for the provision of public shelter; (2) the public shelter system has been expanded; (3) there has been a remarkable increase in the number of homeless people applying for public shelter; (4) the mental health dimensions of homelessness are now being recognized; (5) accounts of the homeless poor in the mass media have been more frequent, more accurate, and more sympathetic; (6) the public seems more aware of and better disposed towards the homeless poor; and (7) many groups have emerged as vocal advocates for the homeless. The assessment report concludes with a discussion of policy implications and recommendations for city and state governments. The appendix contains the Callahan Consent Decree. (RM)