This book consists of 15 chapters on understanding and helping the homeless. The first seven chapters present the "new" homeless in historical context and describe this population and its situation. The remaining eight chapters discuss policy and program options of the government and other organizations in attempting to alleviate the problems of the homeless. Chapter titles (and their authors) are the following: (1) "A Brief History of the Homeless Problem in the United States" (Charles Hoch); (2) "Who Are the Homeless and How Many Are There?" (Kathleen Peroff); (3) "The New Homeless: A National Perspective" (Mary E. Stefl); (4) "Homeless Veterans: An Emerging Problem?" (Marjorie J. Robertson); (5) "Homeless Women and Children" (Patricia A. Sullivan and Shirley P. Damrosch); (6)"The Situation of Homelessness" (Rene I. Jahiel); (7) "Homelessness: A Housing Problem?" (Michael S. Carliner); (8) "The Role of Religion and Nonprofit Organizations in Combating Homelessness" (Mary Anderson Cooper); (9) "The National Health Care for the Homeless Program" (James D. Wright); (10) "Los Angeles: Innovative Local Approaches" (Allan David Heskin); (11) "Portland, Oregon: A Comprehensive Approach" (Marsha Ritzdorf and Sumner M. Sharpe); (12) "The State Role; New York State's Approach to Homelessness" (Mario M. Cuomo); (13) "The Federal Role in Aiding the Homeless" (June Q. Koch); (14) "Third World Solutions to the Homelessness Problem" (Leland S. Burns); (15) "Homelessness: An American Problem?" (Rudolph H. Knight). Notes on authors are included. (KH)