I think there's a bit more complexity to this. We have a serious homeless problem in my area and people are setting up their campsites in parks, along hiking trails, and just about everywhere that they're mostly out of sight. This has caused a lot of backlash from people living in those areas due to some really awful behavior: litter all over the area, feces being left on the ground or tossed in the creek, aggressive panhandling, and generally hostile or threatening behavior to anyone passing by. There's also very disturbing behavior of public urination and masturbation, along with needles being left on the ground. For me personally, I'm concerned about the campfires and propane tanks being used that threaten destructive wildfires in an area that has had massive fires in the past.

There seems to be a routine of people calling the cops on these campsites, the police and volunteers coming along and cleaning up the area and evicting the transients, who then move a short distance away and start all over.

Obviously there's no single solution since there are many different types of homeless, some of whom prefer to freeze rather than submit to staying in one of the available shelters, and some who really are assholes, just wanting to stick it to the man and live off the grid.

Unfortunately, the solution requires a serious commitment from local and federal government for temporary housing, rehab services, mental health support, and law enforcement. But that requires tax dollars and in my area at least, that's not a desirable option. A lot of people around here just want to pass out bus tickets to get them out of town.

So yes, the homeless need food, shelter, health care, etc., but it needs to be part of a bigger overall solution.

They should not be punishing those who can only afford to live in their cars or motor homes either. There needs to be affordable housing.