There was a project in my town where the city build a bunch of cabins on an otherwise unused lot of public land close to but separate from the city.

It was mostly junkies who ended up there. Now, instead of sending cops, the city send social workers to check up on them. The point was to give them a safe place and get in contact with them so at least those who were willing could be sorted out.

The homeless people who weren't junkies didn't go there, because they disliked that whole thing and mostly wanted to be left alone.

So the city opened a hotel where anyone can check in for a night free of charge. There were two rules. No drugs and no questions asked. Again there are social workers available for anyone who do want to talk about why they checked in. It's mostly homeless people and boozers who go there. They run a café too, so if the users wanted breakfast they could go there and that's were the connection was really made. People talk over breakfast. The café is run mostly by ex-alcoholics, who themselves use it as a step out of the bad habits, but who can also get in touch with those who don't want to talk to the social workers.

Anyway, I'm not sure if the success is measurable in any way but at least all the homeless and junkies are offered a roof when it rains and someone to talk to if they want. Leaving the problem on street solves absolutely nothing.