I too have been there. According to one of my associates who's from there, the majority of them are outcasts and potheads. Many of these kids stay at a nearby youth shelter and they're here mainly to chase the cannabis dream. They get $200 a month from the government just for doing no work. At night its scary and the crazies come out to scream and rave. Another friend of mine who was homeless in both LA and seattle says its just like Skid Row in LA only whiter.
Yes, that was exactly what I saw. Mostly white, very likely potheads.
What a shame that our government encourages this kind of behavior. Seattle's government, anyway.
And with the tearing of our social fabric all over our country, it will likely be coming to an area near you and me, perhaps soon. Actually my little town is overrun with teenaged heroin addicts already. Not homeless though - not yet.