The Encyclopedia of Homelessness is the first systematic effort to organize and summarize what we know about thus complex topic which impacts not only the homeless but all of society. The Encyclopedia focuses on the current situation in the United States, with a comparative sampling of homelessness around the world. Articles cover: Causes; Lifestyle Issues; Health Issues and Services; History; Legal Issues and Advocacy; Government Policies and Programs; Organizations; Research Approaches; Service Systems and Settings; Size and Characteristics of the Homeless Population; Public Perceptions of Homelessness; World Issues and Perspectives; Additional descriptive articles cover homelessness today in a sample of American cities and a sample of cities and nations of the world, allowing for quick and easy comparisons. The Encyclopedia contains entries on Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, France, Guatemala, Japan, Nigeria, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, Tokyo, Calcutta, London and others from around the world.