Are you arguing that the majority of people don't see homeless people as an inconvenience? Or that people are glad to contribute large amounts of their tax dollars to support them? I'm arguing from a place of reality, not imaginary "how it should be" perspective. No one besides a few on the far left wants homeless addicts in their community. If you think that the vast majority of people like the homeless and addicts in their community you are not being realistic.
What is there to educate myself on? I want to live in a safe neighborhood where my kids don't have to worry about stepping on needles or vomit, where my wife can walk down the street without being catcalled by dudes that have not showered in 3 weeks. Where stores and cars are not broken into. Is that wrong? And before we touch on all we need is more housing, sure but that's expensive, takes a really long time to build and how are the addicts going to pay rent or are we just going to raise taxes? Plus I don't want an apartment complex full of addicts next door.
I'm well aware that the majority of people don't want anything to do with homeless people. I'm saying this needs to change. It's exactly this attitude of not wanting to deal with people they find inconvenient that ostracises and stigmatizes them further, cutting them off from the support they need and leading to further antisocial behaviour. It's particularly unfair since they're typically homeless through circumstances beyond their control. They're people, just like us, and they are part of the community.
If you'd like to gain more of an understanding, I think the best way is to talk with them directly about their experience. Volunteering is an excellent way to do this.
What is there to educate myself on? I want to live in a safe neighborhood where my kids don't have to worry about stepping on needles or vomit, where my wife can walk down the street without being catcalled by dudes that have not showered in 3 weeks. Where stores and cars are not broken into. Is that wrong? And before we touch on all we need is more housing, sure but that's expensive, takes a really long time to build and how are the addicts going to pay rent or are we just going to raise taxes? Plus I don't want an apartment complex full of addicts next door.