Just as a point of comparison, one of the programs San Francisco introduced during the pandemic was "safe sleeping sites", which are parking lots where homeless can have their tent without it being periodically swept by police. To that, they add chemical toilets, a water supply and (I'm not sure why) 24/7 security staff. For this, the city pays around $60k per tent site per year. I'm not sure if this is in part due to some unsavory relationship between the org administering the program and some city official.
Recently the program was extended. It would be cheaper to rent apartments at current market rates, even in San Francisco.
Our revealed preference seems to be that we'd rather have homeless people live in tents than have poor people get free or nearly free housing.
Our revealed preference seems to be that we'd rather have homeless people live in tents than have poor people get free or nearly free housing.