How does a business benefit by perpetuating a shortage of labor ‘myth’?
In order to justify and encourage excessive immigration, increase the demand and cost of rental property, and to drive down wages by having a surplus of labor. Also as a scapegoat when an industry needs to raise their prices or fails to meet it's demands.
"Whaaa we need more werrrkers!"
And your homeless fellow Californians don’t qualify as viable labor.
Don't elevate these people by referring to them as my "fellow" Californians. The vast majority of these people originated from other states and countries.
Most homeless people are druggies, drunks, and/or mentally ill. It's no surprise they can't get hired. They are homeless because their own families won't take them in for obvious reasons. Also, very often their own families are incapable of helping them. Because they are also in precarious circumstances.
I have a fair amount of experience with people like this. I help one as we were good childhood friends. Everything I have helped him with over many years has come to naught. He has blundered, ruined, and destroyed every good or fortunate thing that has happened to him. Because of mental illness and addiction.
He has camped alone on the outskirts of town in the same spot for years. If I see him wandering around town I purposely avoid him as I can't stand talking to him anymore. We actually haven't talked in a few years. But sometimes (every two years or so) I can't avoid crossing his path. If the timing is right, (once every few months) I rush home, gather canned food, water, clothes, and old blankets and leave them at his spot before he can get back.
I purposely leave my old clothes so that if I see him wearing them, I will know he is getting my donations.