Meanwhile, in the real world, it is the demand of Capital to grow at %6 a year regardless of the health of the overall economy that is fueling the attacks on the social safety net.
Even in countries like Denmark (which is where I am originally from) and who have high taxes and a high degree of redistribution of wealth, you will find people who are poor and homeless.
Add to that the discussion about relative poverty and you will have a problem that can never be solved unless you give everyone one exactly the same.