> In brief, our city has a housing shortage and a homelessness problem
I've never understood why people try to connect these issues. They're wholely unrelated. No one's like "oh, I can't find a house in my city, guess I'll just live on the street". In reality it is "oh, I can't find a house in the city. I'll move where it's reasonable". If I can afford a very reasonable rent, I can afford a ride out of town.
The homeless aren't homeless because housing is expensive where you are. There are places within reach where housing is cheap.
I've never understood why people try to connect these issues. They're wholely unrelated. No one's like "oh, I can't find a house in my city, guess I'll just live on the street". In reality it is "oh, I can't find a house in the city. I'll move where it's reasonable". If I can afford a very reasonable rent, I can afford a ride out of town.
The homeless aren't homeless because housing is expensive where you are. There are places within reach where housing is cheap.