As someone who works with homeless people in an area with a generous population, lots of charities, and free services, you are repeating one of the most dangerous types of misinformation. It’s the kind that draws our attention to 0.1% that is technically true, while diminishing the conversation about the actual problem.

The “tourists”, as we sometimes call them, are the 0.1%. They come and go and there is always one or two around, but they are not the ones with the serious problems. Some might think of them as outliers in the group, but I wouldn’t even group those 0.1% with the other 99.9%. We still make sure they are okay, but they are not the problem when people talk about “homelessness”.

I’m assuming you are good hearted. All intelligent good-natured people have mistakenly repeated points before understand the nuances. I just hope you and anyone else reading might consider a different way of thinking. Repeating this talking point makes it very hard for the people trying to fight homelessness. Funding drys up and people die because public discussion often focuses on the “tourists” and not on the actual problem.