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Well you'd be surprised how much funding goes to social programs that these people could easily get.
Texas is very conservative, however 60% of our budget goes to social programs. Medicare, Medicaid, Texas Assistance for Needy Families, et al provide all but free healthcare for the poor. No there's no universal health care, but if you make less than 28k a year you'll qualify, so that's no excuse.
Austin has a huge homeless problem because it's liberal and people give lots of money to beggers. The city pays for free housing for those who apply, you get 6 months free of rent and utilities. Two years ago they had to drop half of the housing. Why you ask? It wasn't budget issues, it's because 4 out of 5 rooms are unoccupied. The homeless don't apply because you are given 6 months to find a job, they don't want a job.
I talked to a begger one day as we were in line at HEB (grocery store). He said he makes usually $7-15 per hour begging, all tax free. I make $7.50/hr at one job, and am unpaid at my other (internship). I work two jobs, and go to school (paying it in full myself).
THAT is why I don't give them money. Yes, my hard work will (hopefully) pay off. He, at the moment, is much much much more wealthy than I am and he refuses to work.
Public funds devoted to people down on their luck go unused because the stipulation that they must find a job within 6 months. 60% of our budget go to social welfare programs which ensure that people who need it don't go wanting.
Yes, some of the homeless have mental problems. I pay my taxes, and when I have money will donate to charities. Until then I refuse to give money who make more than I do by doing nothing.
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"Smite the rocks with the rod of knowledge, and fountains of unstinted wealth will gush forth." - Ashbel Smith as he laid the first cornerstone of the University of Texas
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