The people you're talking about are usually referred to as the "chronically" homeless and are a minority (but highly visible) section of the overall homeless population. We know that the best way to help these people that's been found so far are the so called "housing first" policies, which save taxpayer money in law enforcement and medical bills by finding permanent supportive housing for the people that need it.
A majority of people who are homeless are not drug addicts or mentally ill. They're just fucked over by an economy that has no floor with too few places for too many people to stay. Most people who find themselves homeless are only homeless for short stretches, and often have jobs and pay their taxes while they live out of tents, cars, and RVs.
A majority of people who are homeless are not drug addicts or mentally ill. They're just fucked over by an economy that has no floor with too few places for too many people to stay. Most people who find themselves homeless are only homeless for short stretches, and often have jobs and pay their taxes while they live out of tents, cars, and RVs.