Here is an easy solution to the homeless crisis. For the majority of them. Wait for it...just put them back in jail. Remember vagrancy laws? Start enforcing them. Remember when the state hospitals were emptied out after lawsuits by the ACLU with the promise that local governments would look out for them? Local government needs to start providing treatment for them. Unlike the druggies, criminals and bums, the mentally ill never had a choice.
Should have vagrancy laws but back then up with homeless shelters and mental institutions. If the person does not cooperate, put him in jail until you get him checked out and see if he needs treatment (mental institution). If not, there's a bed at the homeless shelter.