You could start by combining some of these ideas. It would be unpopular but you could actually start to make a dent in the problem.

Tax empty houses. Use the taxes to fund the necessary construction / staffing to implement right to shelter (other cities do right to shelter, it works).

Long term solutions require some slack in the housing market. The only way to get some slack is to build a LOT more housing - upzone everything, no more NIMBY lawsuits, stop CEQA from being weaponized. Don't worry about whether new construction is luxury or not - it will add to the supply no matter what (freeing up housing), or if it's empty for some reason, tax it.

MP Resident:

or you could look at the true reasons for most homelessness, mental illness and drug addiction. Very few of the homeless are there because they can't afford rent. Sure, we can add to the housing stock and that will help the small percentage of homeless that are that way due to high rent. And that's a good thing. But, that won't even put a dent in the real problem. Sure, people will feel good because we're "doing something". Never mind the fact that the something doesn't address the true problems.

I don't understand how cabin communities are considered cheap. They are an inefficient use of land, just like RV parks. We need to build up 3-4 stories when building BMR housing in this area. We can house many more people that way. Although I expect it's not as desirable, this is state-funded BMR housing and land is our scarce resource.

> cabin communities are cheap

Yup, right up to the point wildfires roar through, and then refuges come back to the city.