I read (somewhere) that a huge percentage of the homeless are suffering from mental disorders and are unable to function as a result. Here in Bay Area, there are huge numbers of homeless people on the streets. This can not only be attributed to the mild climate, but also the fact that years ago two nearby mental institutions were closed due to budget cut backs (I think as far back as Regean) and the area was flooded with former patients.
Increase access to psychiatric and psychological treatment - drugs, counseling, etc... would have a major effect on the number of homeless. Couple that with job training and general life skills (how to budget money, get a job, etc...) and I think the results would be better than "prison."
But, that requires tax dollars (and lots of them) which I'm not willing to fork over... so it's unrealistic.
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