Homelessness getting worse?

I haven't been in town in a couple years, but was shocked at the homeless problem in Houston this last weekend. I was in East Downtown and then on Main Street by Congress. I was harassed on almost every corner in broad daylight. Not just simple begging, either. Relentless and angry yelling because I didn't have any cash. I walked down main to Texas Ave and it was the same every step of the way.

This is a pretty stark contrast to when I used to frequent Boomtown Coffee on that same corner (main and congress) even just a couple years ago.

Is there anything to be done or is this just what the nice areas of Houston have become? It certainly means I won't be back as it was an absolutely miserable experience.