My aunt is the manager at some homeless center in a smaller city about an hour from me.
She says that in her city alone, there are 3 similar shelters that help the homeless with food, water, and shelter at no cost every day.
But she also tells me that you know someone is actually homeless when they're very territorial.
Usually, homeless people who have been living as homeless get very defensive at even the idea of a person approaching them with money.
She also says that at her shelter, the homeless have to be separated in rooms because they will literally pee on each other like dogs to show territory.
The people on roads with signs are, most of the time, fakes. Actual homeless people have enough places to go that will take care of them, and in some places, even find them lines of work (if they're not in too deep).
I wish I was making this up, but sadly I'm not.