I think this article hits the nail on the head. It’s expensive expensive expensive to live a proper “homed” life in the areas being talked about. To overcome homelessness (barring addiction and mental health cases) an individual needs substantial regular income (and skills to foster this income obviously). It seems people understate (especially in the tech sphere) how much money one needs to live and gain steady income and housing - even if you’re not asking for much. Then there’s credit checks, income requirements, job requirements etc etc etc to even qualify for a real home. If you can’t make rent for a bit then you’re back to being homeless. I was homeless and lived in a car for like three years - even attended a coding boot camp (in person pre pandemic) while living in my car.

It’s a very large hill to climb (sustainably overcoming homeless) and no surprise some people choose to “find stability” by just not bothering and living wherever they land.

Edit: haha and I forgot to mention basically needing to have a real residential address to even get a job (and a bank account!) and stuff. It’s such a vicious cycle which is just to reiterate “it’s a large hill to climb”.