They are homeless, which means they can’t get jobs (which require an address) and they might not be able to get bank accounts (also required for a job, also require an address). Even if they have access to showers and laundry facilities and a place to keep their stuff, they still can’t get a job without an address and bank account.

Your parents did something many people do, which is make excuses for why it’s ok to not care about others. It’s rare for someone to fake it. Most people are not lazy enough to forgo shelter, and when they are it’s usually classified as a mental illness or low IQ. There are also many who are down on their luck. They might have not had great upbringings and were not taught the skills needed to organize their lives, or they could have no family left except responsibilities and they couldn’t afford (money or time to) college/University. Lower income jobs don’t pay enough for someone to live on their own many places.

Please keep having empathy and caring about others. You can’t help everyone but you can vote to change policy local or otherwise, and you can donate or volunteer. Everyone deserves kindness.