There's a certain amount of self reinforcement in this. Once a person become homeless, it taxes them psychologically, leading to further issues with mental heal

There's a certain amount of self reinforcement in this. Once a person become homeless, it taxes them psychologically, leading to further issues with mental health and substance abuse. There are success stories of the chronic homeless being able to overcome their situation but for the most part the earlier an intervention happens, the greater the chance of success. The truly difficult part in all of this is that we are an individualistic nation that puts high value on freedom, including the freedom to enter into a downward spiral of self destruction. Freedom of movement also complicates things as those jurisdictions that offer the most (productive or not) are often swamped by those who became homeless elsewhere. We hear a lot about cities dumping their homeless on each other but Megabus can be as cheap as $1.50. The freedom of movement and the low cost of it does more to move the homeless around than any "clean the streets" initiative a city engages in. Homelessness will never be solved at the local level. Though local services can help address the symptoms of homelessness, no local entity has the power to address the root causes nationally.