The people of the City of Boston have made a commitment that, during the Winter of 1988-89, no homeless person will be denied a warm bed, a hot meal, quality health care, and transportation to shelters. This document comprises a progress report on Boston's efforts to address the needs of the homeless. The following summary points are discussed: (1) the number of shelter beds has increased 183 percent since 1983; (2) nearly half of the homeless in Boston come from outside the city; (3) two-thirds of the shelter beds in Massachusetts are located in Boston, although the city represents only 10 percent of the State's population; (4) since 1984, over $44 million of public, private, and foundation funds have been allocated for projects and programs, and city resources totalling $21.7 million have levered almost $23 million in additional funding; (5) the HealthLink program at Boston City Hospital has provided comprehensive medical services to over 8,000 people since 1985; (6) the Mayor, as Chairman of the U. S. Conference of Mayors Task Force on Hunger and Homelessness, has worked for the enactment of the federal Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, which has provided $4.2 million used by 87 non-profit agencies for a variety of programs; (7) Boston has had over 13,000 housing starts since 1984 and the number of vacant public housing units awaiting rehabilitation has declined from 3,750 to 900, with full occupancy scheduled for 1991; and (8) a key element of the City's approach has been to go beyond basic shelter needs and to help homeless persons become more independent and self-sufficient by developing such programs as transitional and single-room occupancy (SRO) housing, job training, and health care. Statistical data are included on four graphs and two tables. (FMW)