M.A. (Social Work) / This study was based on qualitative research methodology and was basically exploratory, seeing as though it was aimed at the gathering of knowledge and insight. The study can also be defined as a self-initiated research as a result of the researcher's interest in the phenomenon of homelessness. As a result of the extensiveness of the problem, the study was limited to the homeless that stay in care centres in the Genniston area, of which there were four, during April 1994, when the study was undertaken. A thorough literal study was conducted, which brought to light that other countries, especially America, have already undertaken various studies to research the phenomenon of homelessness. The cross-sectional survey was chosen as the research design, which also generated hypotheses. Interview schedules were used in the collection of data and respondents were selected through systematic sampling from the target group which consisted of the total number of inhabitants of the four care centres.