The fact it still was a crime is kind of ridiculous. In my opinion, it’s the country and local council’s duty to ensure everyone within it can live in dignity and comfort. Criminalizing someone for your incompetence is incredibly backwards.
Even if you don’t believe what I do and think it’s someones responsibility they don’t become homeless, what does punishing them help with? If you fine them, then have that much less money to live with. If you inprison them, they now have a criminal record and will have a harder time getting a job, if they even could before.
I’ve heard these laws were used to create forced labour in the past. A good video by J Draper on the topic: youtu.be/2ec9Al5ezYs?is=IeSaElEcu0Z-U_-3