We must provide the opportunity for shelter first. Our society traditionally had shacks on the edge of town. With our building codes we have eliminated most of these shacks and placed their occupants on the streets. We cannot afford to solve all their problems or to provide spacious housing. Two-way construction is one solution, providing the homeless with small rooms that could be converted back and forth between use as housing and use as storage during times of less homelessness.
Many homeless people rent storage spaces today.
We can afford to provide small, warm, dry, and safe housing for every person who wants it. Start doing it now. All three of these contribute strongly to the climate of violence, not just out there in the streets but in our homes as we teach our children to be fearful and unethical.