[jwilliams]

Not sure I follow. You're calling this a simplification, but your synopsis isn't that much more complex.

Plus, you think that most are by choice. However, you also point out lack of support for mental issues. I personally find this a contradiction – if you've got serious mental issues and no support, then the ability to choose is basically void.

[yardie]

See, they choose to be homeless in San Francisco. They could have chosen to be homeless elsewhere.

[ams6110]

Homeless tend to flock to where it's easiest to be homeless. Definitely seen this where I live, over the past 10 years the city has devoted considerable resources to "homelessness" and during the same interval our homeless population has exploded. Used to be able to walk around downtown and never be bothered, now panhandlers are everywhere and even assault and robbery (previously almost unheard of) are more regular.