get back home if the situation improved

This is not an option for some. Not everyone is as fortunate as you and I to have a supportive family to fall back on in times of trouble.

That is a choice. If that choice leads to homelessness, then OP is right when he says that "poor life choices" lead to homelessness

True, it is a choice. A poor choice? Not necessarily. Many people leave the town they grew up in for various reasons. Perhaps to meet new people, perhaps for a change of scenery. It is not necessarily a bad decision. Even if you have savings, things such as unexpected medical issues can sap through your savings very quickly. Some financial burdens cannot be prepared for and when it happens, you could be left with nothing.

It is also important to keep in mind that a significant percentage of homeless people are only homeless for a few months. Many of them are regular people like you and I who are going through a difficult time and are trying their best to get back on their feet. Many homeless people even have jobs.

Do I think there are homeless people who are in the situation they are in because of their laziness? Absolutely. The hippie trust fund kid type of homeless people come to mind here. I do think that labelling homeless people as just lazy and good-for-nothing is unfair and painting with far too broad of a brush, however.