Now Portland State University is getting in on the homeless boom ("Portland State invests $3 million to research homelessness, 'smart cities'," Oct. 1). Homelessness in Portland has become its own industry. Next come government grants to study the problem. But nobody will even identify the problem, let alone solve it.

Separating the truly needy from the deadbeats sucking the system down is the problem. Identifying the truly needy is not a hard task. They are the people who, through no fault of their own have found themselves with no place to go. This category includes families and children who do not have the means to retain or gain adequate shelter. Also included are those who do not have the mental or physical capacity to maintain shelter. The solution to homelessness should be focused here.

The problem for everyone else loose on the streets is they are abusers of drugs, alcohol or both. Or they could just be too lazy to work. These people are catered to in the form of free handouts and having the City of Portland clean up their messes. The city is the enabler for the alcohol and drug users. Jobs are plentiful. Make these people at least work for their shelter. They can clean up the streets, parks and other public areas.

Until then, all the studies in the world will not get one person off the street. But then, I am not convinced politicians want to eliminate homelessness. You get more of the behavior you reward.

Jay Bacon, Boring