Until we get a handle on the cost of housing, the homeless population will be increased with these people who clearly want some sort of normal existence (TV, running water, etc). If we could get them into homes, the remaining homeless would be the ones with substance abuse and mental issues, a much harder group to service, but also a smaller group.  Either rent control or public housing is the answer. Could we build public housing units to shelter 5,000 people? I think we can, though I actually prefer rent control because that helps everyone as it drags prices down across the board.