Advocating to let these people continue to sleep in their own filth is the true lack of compassion. 

For the majority who are junkies the compassionate thing would be forcing them into rehab to sober up, or locking them in a an institution (mental or criminal, take your pick) if they refuse to get clean.

If they are dealing with mental illness the compassionate thing would be to force them into a hospital environment where they can get care. 

For the very few hard working people who have fallen on hard times the compassionate thing would be removing the criminal element from their midst so they can be safe. Those homeless advocates who protect and defend the junkies, the winos, and the crazies obviously have no compassion for the poor SOB who just simply fell on hard times.

We need to separate the 90% who are there by choice, so we can help the 10% who want help.