A 13-member committee from a variety of disciplines reviewed literature, commissioned 10 papers, held 5 meetings between December 1986 and September 1987, and conducted site visits to 11 cities and the rural areas of 4 States. Results demonstrated that homeless people are younger, more ethnically diverse, and more likely to be members of families than is generally believed by the public. The main causes of increased homelessness are the lack of affordable housing, tightened eligibility requirements for public assistance, and the deinstitutionalization of mentally ill persons. Some health problems cause homelessness; others result from homelessness. In addition, homelessness complicated the treatment of many problems. Financial and physical access are the two main problems that homeless people experience with health care. Recommended measures to address the problem include the provision of stable residences, adequate income levels, supportive services, and ensuring access to health care a part of a broad initiative to ensure health care to all who are unable to pay for it. Figures, tables, chapter reference lists, index, and appended background and methodological information and 25 references