The data disagrees. It can happen in the US. It _did_ happen in the US.
“Utah reduced chronic homelessness by 91%. Here’s how”
https://www.npr.org/2015/12/10/459100751/utah-reduced-chroni...
“Utah reduced chronic homelessness by 91%. Here’s how”
https://www.npr.org/2015/12/10/459100751/utah-reduced-chroni...
"... housing comes first, services later. Clients do have to pay some rent — either 30 percent of income or up to $50 a month, whichever is greater."
And those homes don't have to be big, sprawling, 1000-footers either. An address, bathing, electric, a share in the cost ... is a leg up and a way to escape the terrors. Has to be a hell of a relief.