An over estimate, but not too far off the mark:

"In 2019, 36% percent of the chronically homeless suffered from a chronic substance abuse problem, a severe mental illness, or both" [1] For the published data used to come to this conclusion see [2].

This doesn't include less sever mental illness which almost certainly contributes.

[1] https://sunrisehouse.com/addiction-demographics/homeless-pop...

[2] https://files.hudexchange.info/reports/published/CoC_PopSub_...

That statistic doesn't come near to supporting OP's claim. There are plenty of people with substance abuse problems or mental illness who could "handle" living in a free apartment if it were provided to them. The fact that they can't afford market-rate housing doesn't necessarily mean they'd destroy any home they lived in.

The US isn't the only country with homeless people. In much of Europe where people actually can literally go and obtain free social housing there are still sizeable homeless populations for exactly the reason OP pointed out, they cannot manage their day-to-day affairs because they are drug addicted or mentally ill.

In Germany we have about 50k people living on the streets. Technically none of those people need to be. They could all get the necessary financial aid.

The article demonstrate that the only country in Europe that successfully reduce homelessness is Finland. And they do it by providing free housing. In other words, real world imperial proof that your argument doesn’t hold water. Now there is a 99.99% chance that my point will just make you believe what you say even more. However there is always a tiny chance that it might make you reflect on your core believes and help you readjust those believes to be closer to reality.

The quote you provided states that:

"In 2019, 36% percent of the chronically homeless suffered from a chronic substance abuse problem, a severe mental illness, or both"

The key word here is "chronic." According to the National Alliance to End Homelessnes[0][1] (based on data, including the link you cited, from HUD[2]), less than 20% of homeless people are chronically homeless. As such, less than 10% of the total homeless population "suffer chronic substance abuse problem, a severe mental illness, or both"

So you're projecting the traits of a (relatively) small group onto the larger whole. An assertion which seems problematic at best.

[0] https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/homeless...

[1] https://public.tableau.com/static/images/20/2020SOH_PIT_bars...

[2] https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/coc-homeless-popul...

> > about half of the homeless people are too mentally troubled/addicted to be able to handle an apartment.

> citation needed

To fully qualify the statement made by the person you're replying to:

I would argue that it is indeed clear that around half of the individuals facing chronic homelessness urgently require mental health and addiction support.

for those people, they may likely face crisis and be consequently unable to upkeep any dwelling that is freely provided to them unless they have extensive support and possibly even in-patient care.

* About 30% of people who are chronically homeless have mental health conditions.

* About 50% have co-occurring substance use problems.

https://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/individuals-experiencing...