It is rapidly getting worse. It doesn't help that many cities are shipping their homeless people to Seattle. Literally buying them bus tickets.
http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/portland-begins-sending-home...
http://www.kiro7.com/news/local/portland-begins-sending-home...
This is one of those stories that I've heard or read everywhere I've lived or been (Austin, Honolulu, Seattle, San Fran) that I just assume it's an urban legend used to obfuscate the real issues.