I don't generally disagree with this. And I have a similar story, except it was my mom and her mother, fleeing an abusive alcoholic. In 1950, she had to find a way to survive, and gov't subsidized housing in S. Texas was key to that. Not forever, but for a few years. Once she could dig her way out, they moved on. And the thing is, society as a WHOLE actually benefited from my mom and grandma having that safety net. My mother was fed, sheltered, got an education, and went on to live a good life and raise a successful and productive son....who also posts on Surly (so that part is probably a wash).
Yes, there are always the stories of people who take it all for granted, stay too long, etc. There are also counter-stories of deserving people who are just going through some shit and need an option for a time, and none is available. No system is perfect, and we should never let perfect be the enemy of good enough.