There are varying levels of tolerance of homelessness across the country. On the other side of the equation of tolerance are several factors, including politics

There are varying levels of tolerance of homelessness across the country. On the other side of the equation of tolerance are several factors, including politics but most especially rent prices. People in cities with low rent prices are far less likely to tolerate homelessness than cities with high rent prices. Cities with high rents will use high rents as a scapegoat for inaction in solving the problem (i.e., “we need to build more housing!” as if that’s a perfectly tenable thing to do on a landlocked peninsula filled with extraordinary regulations on building). If someone becomes homeless (or rather, is becoming homeless) because they can’t pay their rent, wouldn’t they… move somewhere cheaper? That is in fact what usually happens. Those who become homeless instead often do for reasons other than not being able to afford rent; these people are quitting society. Japan has Hikikomori, and we have the homeless.