Any real solution to this growing problem requires two things, opportunities and responsibilities. Society has to step up and provide some opportunities for the homeless to work themselves out of their condition. The homeless have to step up and take one of those opportunities and run with it.

Any "solution" that just hands out free stuff to the homeless without requiring any effort on their part will do two things - 1) put them in a pattern of dependency that will be harder and harder to emerge from, and 2) attract every other homeless person from surrounding states to your free program.

Society should only provide for those who are physically or mentally incapable of meeting their own needs (that's needs - not wants).

We need to address addiction to understand what I believe is the major cause of homelessness.

And quite frankly, I'm not sure how to deal with that problem. More effective Drug and alcohol eduction in the schools would help. So would increased access to drug treatment programs. Also, I believed dugs and alcohol are glamorized in this society.

Young people need sober role models. Have you ever heard of a tailgating party not fueled by beer? Or Spring break with out drugs and booze?

Thank you for posting constructive ideas. As someone with anxiety disorder who is laid off, I would add that a basic level of healthcare needs to be avaiable for free or on a sliding basis to everyone. This morning, I am trying to obtain a prescription that I badly need. However, the Dr. is saying that I need to see him. That will be $195.00 plus the cost of the meds. Right now, that's huge to me. So, in the end, I have a choice between seeing he Dr. and not having money to get to interviews or not having my meds and not functioning. I'd honestly guess that these are the types of issues that cause homelessness, desperation, and create high societal costs in the long term. We cannot be successful in the USA, when the only thing preventing success is lack of medical care (including addiction), lack of a warm bed, and a lack of opportunity to find work at a person's level of skill doing something they can feel good about. If that's not something we can guarantee in America, we have failed.

how does one reply knowing how it is where he lives ? angered some what at the term "homeless" improperly used. (it does not fit the way he lives or others he knows)
I have a name it's Robert not "Homeless"! I am domicily challenged , an urban camper or a river rat I don't have an addiction , and I don't live in a doorway or ally . I work where ever I can and I don't use food stamps , food pantries yes and whatever nature has to offer , I don't beg or pandhandle . I am going to school to better myself and chances for a better paying job. yes I can eat for free about 3 to 5 times a day get free clothes ect.
other things are now limited such as bus passes for job interviews because of addicts. here we have low-cost medical .