Unfortunately the majority of those chronically homeless are making a lifestyle choice. I am a Vet and elderly. When the homeless vets are ready to follow the rules necessary to get help, there are groups ready to help. I'm also old enough to have personally met hundreds of kids hooked on drugs. Those who decided they wanted a better life cleaned themselves up either by themselves, with family help, or through agencies designed to help. Those who chose to continue with drugs are still using or have died. While there are some mentally ill among the chronically homeless, they are not the majority. Even many of these are homeless by choice. The severely mentally ill are usually in jail. Most of those who are treatable can get assistance, but choose not to take the treatment. Yes, this problem is situation dependent.  However, most of the people seen in the shelters have been there for years. They choose this lifestyle. This is Alaska and it does get cold- maybe they need to choose better.