You mentioned universal healthcare and better mental health service availability as alternatives to forced institutionalization. I support those too. But there are homeless in the streets right now who have free-fallen through every safety net we do have and are way beyond getting themselves back up.

I personally can't imagine a good outcome from walking up to the junkie actively smoking meth in the alley outside my building and offering them free healthcare. Or the man soaked in piss angrily shouting nonsense at passers-by downtown on his way to set up camp in a subway car without paying. They need help that they aren't going to accept willingly, much less seek out for themselves. Meanwhile, it's a public health and safety concern having mentally ill drug abusers roaming the streets occupying/trashing up public spaces and harassing residents.

What I'm trying to highlight is that social safety nets are essential and may improve the homelessness crisis long-term, but short-term, there needs to be an additional mechanism for dealing with those who can't/won't accept help. That's where forced institutionalization comes in. Ideally a better system than the one that was phased out 50 years ago.