The nominal group technique was used to gather forecasts and opinions from a group of knowledgeable people. Three scenarios were selected for further analysis. Results revealed that most homeless persons are either mentally ill or addicted and that society can move in one of two general directions with respect to the issue: toward repression or toward accommodation. To address the problem of homelessness, significant progress must occur in addressing the component parts of the total problem: mental illness, drug abuse, and job training. The most pessimistic future scenario involves a crackdown. The expected scenario indicates paralysis, with reactive measures and little strategic planning. The third scenario offers the best possibilities for problemsolving through appropriate mental health and drug treatment services, together with other services. The use of tracking and other technologies, combined with a restructuring of the legal system to recognize the existence of an unhoused portion of the population, can also assist in the development of constructive solutions. The issue and the efforts to address it will pose continuing challenges for law enforcement. Figures, tables, appended methodological information and additional results, reference notes, and 39 references