"...city will be paying the homeless to do various jobs for the city, and in addition to paying them a small amount, will offer them a place to live."

Daytona might be on to something here but the plan loses considerable steam when you discover that it ends after six weeks. Aside from that, if I were considering their offer, I think I'd first want to know exactly what a " small amount" of pay actually translates into as dollars. Furthermore I would also like to know what kind of work they'll be asking me to perform, what the standard wage rate of that work would be, and what will happen to my housing and me after the six week period ends. Now, that'll take care of the few folks who will ultimately "qualify" for this "homeless to work" program. What to do, what to do with those who cannot work due to illness or disability, who test dirty prior to starting the program, who test dirty while participating in the program, and who simply don't want to work in order to get a roof over their heads....

Homeless Put To Work (?)

Sunday, July 6, 2008 Email article | Print article

Daytona Beach officials have come up with a new idea for dealing with a large homeless population in the city.

DAYTONA BEACH -- Instead of considering them a problem, as many other cities have done, city officials have decided to put them to work. The city has come up with a program they are calling "Homeless to Work". Under the program the city will be paying the homeless to do various jobs for the city, and in addition to paying them a small amount, will offer them a place to life. While it all seems to be a good idea, the city still has one hurdle to get past, funding. The hope is to be able to create a program that will last for six weeks, offering the people recruited a job as well as help getting their feet back on the ground. It is believed it will cost near $2,500 per person. All those in the program will be expected to submit to periodic drug and alcohol screening and have to remain sober and drug-free throughout the program.