The Voluntary Sector Leads the Way in Delivering Health Care to the Homeless Ill

Abstract

This article calls attention to the needs of the homeless ill and the role of voluntary organizations in leading the way in providing quality health care for all homeless people. It describes and analyzes several health programs operating in the voluntary sector in an effort to present some viable models for planners and service providers. It raises some fundamental questions about where the responsibility for the provi sion of adequate health care rests and concludes that the public sector holds the major responsibility for such service. The article suggests that collaboration be tween the public and private sectors offers the greatest promise of providing suffi cient and proper care. The intent of the article is to underscore the need of homeless people for health care in addition to food and shelter and to recommend elements that should be incorporated in a comprehensive health care program for the homeless.