Human beings are motivated both intrinsically and extrinsically. Adding support for an activity provides extrinsic motivation for doing something. Basically,

Human beings are motivated both intrinsically and extrinsically. Adding support for an activity provides extrinsic motivation for doing something. Basically, cities get what they pay for. If you pay for homelessness you get it. That said, I'm not saying we shouldn't help people, but that we should make sure that whatever support we provides guides people towards self sufficiency and not dependence. “The lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual and moral disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber, ... To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of sound policy. It is in violation of the traditions of America.” – FDR 1935