[jballanc]

It may sounds trite, but there is a solution: very strong family structures. Where I live, homelessness is essentially unheard of. Yes, many people live in dirt-floor huts, but they live together, often as large extended-family units. The lone vagabond sleeping in a box in a random city alley just doesn't happen. No family would let it happen...

[rikkus]

This likely helps the problem, yes. It might not fix the underlying issues, but at least the unfortunate person's personal problems aren't compounded by losing a stable place to stay.