I guess my own biases came through because when I read "people not going in shelters" my mind went to "addicts in tents". I assume a sober-enough homeless person, especially one with a child, which means the adult is more likely to be a woman, has access to some level of emergency shelter and is using it.

I 100% agree with you that I would rather not be next to someone doing drugs, which is why they are annoying out in the streets!

Addicts would rather do drugs on the street than not do drugs no matter what the incentive (the infamous "rock bottom"). Literally the only way to get them indoors is to allow drug use or arrest them.