I think the big issue is that it was a culture question masquerading as a technology question. The interviewer was looking for a collection of the same kinds of prejudices that they themselves hold without critical thought, not someone willing to actually engage with the work required to accomplish the stated goals of the job.

This attitude is fundamentally pervasive.

Hey that’s really good

Offer a nice bounty on them for the unhoused. Can’t knock on your door if you don’t have a door! If some of the parts inside are valuable enough to make the endeavor self sustaining then it’s simply a case of successful morally appropriate civil disobedience.