People are homeless because they don’t have a home. There’s all sorts of reason why but usually it’s because housing is expensive. More expensive cities see more homelessness.

No doubt many people who can’t afford housing lost their money to addiction, and giving them housing will not solve the addiction.

That being said: getting clean is way more likely in a stable living environment than in an unstable one.

I’d also add that homelessness can exacerbate an existing addiction. It’s a stressful and traumatic experience.

So yes, giving them housing will not solve addiction. Addiction is hard to overcome even for wealthy people with loving, supportive family.