Homelessness is a huge problem that needs additional resources. Most of it isn't really visible.
And then there's the huge sub-problem of people who are chronically homeless, drug-addicted, and visible.
Large efforts at simply improving access to housing are likely to make a large dent in the larger homelessness problem, but may not be effective in addressing people with long-standing drug addiction and behavioral disorders.
Many/most have behaviors that are incompatible with conventional housing.
The solution for this subgroup is going to be a lot more complicated.
Replying so you don't feel left out -- I hadn't because I don't feel there's much left to add.
I agree with you. There is more than one piece to the puzzle. We seem to agree that housing is one of the bigger pieces, though. So let's start there and make some progress for a change. Let's not throw our hands up, like some in this thread, and say we've exhausted this approach and it's time for the stick.
For the rest, we'll have to go case-by-case. For the most recalcitrant, anti-social cases we may need the stick in the end. Hopefully by that point we can say the system isn't pathological. Regardless, I suspect the cases on that end of the spectrum will be less "homeless" and more "criminal."
And then there's the huge sub-problem of people who are chronically homeless, drug-addicted, and visible.
Large efforts at simply improving access to housing are likely to make a large dent in the larger homelessness problem, but may not be effective in addressing people with long-standing drug addiction and behavioral disorders. Many/most have behaviors that are incompatible with conventional housing.
The solution for this subgroup is going to be a lot more complicated.