Should we give money to the homeless?

Inspired by a previous question of mine, I thought I’d ask the jelly community their thoughts on giving beggars money.

There are a few factors and common arguments I’d like to lay out here:

* Every homeless person will have different circumstances

* A lot of persons who work with the homeless and homeless charities have confirmed that money given to those on the streets 9/10 is used to purchase drugs and alcohol.

* It’s been argued that those begging on the streets are basically earning minimum wage, while paying no taxes.

* There is also the argument that giving to the homeless is funding them to remain homeless.

* The argument that there are a lot of programs available to assist the homeless.

What is your take on this issue?