Now homelessness is a similar issue but more so. We have people that do not even have their own restroom, or bed, or shower etc. To this end it is reasonable to have laws against using public areas which were not intended for being used as an encampment as an encampment. But also it seems to me to make sense to provide some areas that are indeed meant to serve as an encampment. Yes, this may be expensive and might attract homeless from other areas like a magnet and should hopefully be run by private charity rather than burdening the tax payer.
Obviously providing an encampment area has numerous drawbacks and potential pitfalls. I am not at all sure the best way to do it or how well it would work to do it the best way. Figure it may make the most sense to start simple. An out of the way park like area and some concrete structure with pipes where there is running water that can be used for drinking and washing. Some low cost restroom facilities. Possibly in areas where it gets bitterly cold at night a large army tent with some kind of heating for shelter.
Not that I want to reward people who are too lazy to work or the like, but I don't like people dying from poverty, nor told to go hide somewhere where nobody has to look at them.
You also can provide FREE FENTANYL at the camps, it will weed out (no Narcan) the undesirables in a hurry.
The ones that are left would probably accept help and be semi-normal.