I sympathize with the letter " Dignity, Not Disdain " regarding the homeless situation. The writer believes the major cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing and that’s because, she claims, of policy failure.
According to JAMA [Journal of the American Medical Association] two thirds of homeless have mental health problems. Over a third have addictions to alcohol or drugs (many have both addictions and are mentally ill).
To focus on housing creates a sense of community responsibility. It’s saying my neighbors and I are responsible. People with either mental health issues or addictions need personal attention to their problems, not subsidized housing.