To describe the sociodemographic characteristics, health status and access to services of the population living on the streets in a sample obtained from three homeless shelters in the downtown area of Sao Paulo. The sample included 251 subjects: 171 males, 78 females and 2 people who reported themselves as transgender. A structured questionnaire was applied about: sociodemographic characteristics, time on the street, physical activity, discrimination, social network and support, health status, alcohol or drug use, violence and access to health services.The challenge of formulating health policy is to incorporate the representations and care practices of these individuals, but also the services, as a starting point for organizing care.