The studies I've read indicate that it's important for professionals seeking to work on the problem to actually have the balls to go out into the streets and interact in a non-pushy, non-demanding way with the homeless. It takes time to build up trust. In one study, workers would go out on a schedule and try to build trust with the homeless, often offering fresh, clean socks as a token of benevolence. The goal was to not come across as trying to control the homeless, or treat them as a 'problem' - but rather to treat them as sovereign human beings with complex emotions. The results were usually very positive and effective compared to simply waiting for the homeless to come seeking out shelters and programs. Especially because many homeless are too ill to be able to go about doing that themselves. So first trust would be established and relationship foundations built, and then the workers would offer to help the homeless get to a shelter or program and guide them through the process. I was very impressed with the work those people did and the results they were reportedly getting.