Here, too.
I had a friend some years back who had been through Teen Challenge and got saved and set free from his addictions.
He told me to NEVER, EVER give money to these people on the streets holding the signs. He knew them and said they were not really homeless and they would use the money for drugs.
He said that there are plenty of options for help for them and they know it, but refuse to abide by the rules of programs and be accountable. IOW, they really don’t want the help. He told me that if they really wanted out of the lifestyle, they could do it just like he did.
His advice for helping people was to give to an organization that has a good track record for helping others, or to do it through church, where you know the money is being used responsibly.
In my town, they are putting up signs at intersections saying much the same thing.