[kafkaesq]

Well, they're overlapping for sure. But you have to keep in mind that the root causes behind homelessness are quite complex, and fairly stated, many of these people wouldn't be employable at any wage -- even if there were jobs for them, which are by no means guaranteed, or even likely to appear if we suddenly raised the minimum wage to a viable level (which I happen to be in favor of).

Or stated alternatively -- yes, over generations, the gradual lowering of the minimal wage (combined with the evisceration of middle class wages, and the decimation of affordable housing stock) has certainly been a major driving force behind the crisis we find ourselves in today. But simply raising the minimum wage isn't going to (quickly) reverse that tide.

So that's why the two issues seem to be (while overlapping) basically different kettles of fish.