Financially it makes sense though; shelters cost taxpayer and/or charity money, and there's a whole industry dedicated to discouraging people from sleeping in corners, public benches, and using public toilets. How expensive is it to just give people housing, a basic income, and the care they need?

I mean it's an opportunity to get someone back on their feet, and with time, reintegrate them with society - that is, turn them back into taxpayers. It makes sense both from a capitalist and a socialist point of view.

The problem is convincing those who think the homeless are subhuman undesirables who should be made Someone Else's Problem.