RAZD,
I think the teach a man to fish rather than just giving him a fish is maybe a better solution. Can we have a Peace Corp in the US?
We do (or did), but it is not pushed.
How about helping the homeless to build the mini-home, thus engendering pride of ownership, which can translate into maintenance and upkeep. This would be like a barn-raising event that helped bond agricultural towns together (and the Amish still do it).
There is also Jimmy Carter and the (religious orientated)
Habitat for Humanity project.
This is also something that I think the National Guard could be involved in -- as a way of providing shelter after earthquakes or hurricanes -- as one of their additional duties that I see as an opportunity for the guard to protect and defend us from natural as well as man-made disasters.
Enjoy