INTRODUCTIONWith nearly 3.18 million people in the United States, there are 610,042 people experiencing homelessness, which represents approximately one in five people (US Census Bureau, 2014 and HUD/United States, 2013). At any time, situations can change, which can make an individual homeless. No quality exempts individuals from the risk of becoming homeless. However, certain predispositions and characteristics can predict the likelihood of becoming homeless. Homelessness can be due to a number of situations such as job stress, financial stress, mental health issues, substance use, gender, age, race, disabilities, incarceration, chronic illnesses and family stress. Mental health disorders and substance use disorders are evident. among the homeless population. Mental health disorders and substance use disorders have various factors that can cause a person to develop each disorder separately. People can often suffer greatly from each one individually. Mental health and substance use disorders can cause significant distress in the lives of those diagnosed. Conversely, it can also be said that significant distress can lead to mental health and substance use disorders. The difference depends on a number of factors such as genetics, environment, resilience, gender and age. However, recovery from homelessness, mental health issues, and substance use disorders are possible if the appropriate resources are available. DEFINITIONIndividuals often have their own perceptions and definitions of homelessness. These perceptions are generally exaggerated. Overly exaggerated definitions of what homelessness looks like can be explained away by movies, TV shows, the internet, and...... middle of paper ...... events. National Association of Social Workers, Vol 57, No. 1. Gulcur, Leyla, Padgett, Deborah K., & Tsemberis, Sam. (2006). “Housing First Services for Homeless Individuals with Concurrent Serious Mental Illness and Substance Abuse.” » Research in Social Work Practice, Vol 16 No. 1. Mental Illness Research Fellowship Victoria. (2008) Understanding dual diagnosis: mental illness and substance use. Retrieved from http://www.mifellowship.org/sites/default/files/styles/Fact%20Sheets/Understanding%20Dual%20Diagnosis.pdfDoll, Helen, Fazel, Seena, Geddes, John and Khosla, Vivek. (2008). “The prevalence of homeless mental disorders in Western countries: review and meta-regression.” » PLoS Med 5(12): e225Torrey, E. Fuller, MD (2011). Facts, figures and stories about homeless people with mental illnesses. Retrieved from http://mentalillnesspolicy.org/consequences/homeless-mentally-ill.html