If you go to many towns and cities, they say the same thing: We're known as too lenient. Too many freebies. That is why we see all the drunks and homeless. The only exceptions are very wealthy towns like Carmel. 
I rode my bike on the path that goes under the freeways and out Springwater park. The problem there is much worse. The city declared a state of emergency regarding lack of housing.
This is America's problem. And I'll suggest it partly represents the distribution of wealth.