1) based on self-reported status
2) fails to distinguish between temporary hardship homelessness and that resulting of addiction/illness
Should not be relied upon. For the first, there is an obvious incentive towards exaggerating one's stay in state, and no counter-incentive whatsoever. For the latter, these are two separate problems which need drastically different solutions.
If you have data that addresses the two points you made, please post them.
> For the first, there is an obvious incentive towards exaggerating one's stay in state, and no counter-incentive whatsoever.
Nothing obvious or even true about it. Using the word obvious just hides the fact it isn’t.
If you don't believe in the existence of incentives then unfortunately there's not enough shared reality for us to have a discussion.