You assume that none of the homeless can lift themselves up from homelessness. I've read some interviews with them, and it seems that a portion of them just prefers homelessness to hard physical work for meager pay (which is an only option available for them). With the support systems provided by cities and states, homelessness can be seen as a favorable option by people who have an extreme aversion for labor (not to mention that without having to show up for work every morning they can freely pursue their drinking habit). I don't see that angle discussed here.