Homelessness is a regional and national issue. Granted some Austin policies have compounded the problems. But having cities each come up with their own solutions for mental illness, broken foster systems, immigration, drug addiction, poverty is inefficient and bordering on absurd. Moreover, some jurisdictions’ solve their own homelessness problem by putting them on a bus to another jurisdiction (the old Rambo I policy). Further, why would state and federal politicians want to attempt to solve homelessness when it’s incredibly complicated and gives them fodder to win re-election by being tough on crime and ridicule local city policies on an issue that’s nationwide and regional dealing with populations (long-term homeless) that typically move around? I don’t know how many mentally ill and termed foster kids have been released on the streets of Austin, but at times, it’s been significant.