Includes bibliographical references (p. 224-228) and index.

Is homelessness a serious problem? Homelessness is a serious problem nationwide / Christine Vestal -- Homelessness is a growing problem among older and middle-class Americans / Carole Fleck -- Rural homelessness is a serious problem / Myers Reece -- Homelessness is a serious problem among foster youth / Elizabeth Calvin -- Homelessness is a serious problem for LGBT youth / Nicholas Ray -- What factors contribute to homelessness? Multiple factors contribute to homelessness / National Coalition for the Homeless -- Substance abuse contributes to homelessness / Regional Task Force on the Homeless -- Mental illness contributes to homelessness / Timothy Wild -- Domestic violence often leads to homelessness / American Civil Liberties Union -- Natural disasters can lead to homelessness / Seth Fiegerman -- The economic recession is increasing homelessness / Lizzy Ratner -- What housing policies will benefit the homeless? Housing must be viewed as a human right / National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty -- Government housing vouchers can help homeless families best / Barbara Sard -- Effective emergency shelters help homeless families best / Thomas Almeida, [et al.] -- Permanent housing before recovery reduces chronic homelessness / Florence Graves and Hadar Sayfan -- Specialized justice systems connect homeless people with services / Heather Knight -- Enforcing quality-of-life crimes further victimizes homeless people / Amanda Witherell -- What policies will reduce homelessness? Better information about homelessness means better strategies / Dennis Culhane -- Government initiatives can reduce homelessness / US Interagency Council on Homelessness -- Reducing homelessness is not the government's responsibility / Doug Bandow -- Donation meters are the best way to give spare change to the homeless / Marisa Kendall -- Cutting assistance for homelessness would be disastrous / Chicago Alliance to End Homelessness -- Buying street newspapers helps homeless people help themselves / Anne Paine.