[hackuser]

There should be zero homeless (or close to it) in the United States. The U.S. is the richest country in the history of the world, by a long shot, and growing wealthier every year. Certainly Americans can afford to provide basic food and shelter (and healthcare) to everyone. We lose sight of concrete reality when we get caught up in the economic and social philosophizing and political conflict; nothing justifies leaving a human being on the street, like a stray dog, when you can do something about it. There is no excuse.

[simplyluke]

This might not be popular here (and I'm not advocating it, merely bringing it into the discussion), but Guaranteed minimum income (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guaranteed_minimum_income) has been proposed as a possible solution to homelessness in the US.

[ilaksh]

But we don't leave dogs on the street.

Of course, what happens to stray dogs a little while later is unthinkable for humans. Unless you are into eugenics, which many HN readers are. Social Darwinism and similar 19th century outmoded beliefs are extremely popular today. This classism and general elitism is the first part of the problem.