It is a terrible fact that in our society we still have a growing problem with homelessness. Although no government can be held solely responsible for every single case, we do have a certain responsibility to help solve the problem. Many charitable organisations have researched the national figures to be in excess of 100,000 currently registered as homeless. The figure for 2006 was 122,000 yet the actual figure is probably much higher as many of the homeless do not register for varying reasons.  

How many of us know of vacant buildings that we pass going about our daily routines? Many of these buildings with a small amount of investment could be easily converted into adequate basic housing. Just as a suggestion the homeless themselves could do the work of conversion. From design and construction to project manage and administration. By having a work project with clear objectives will go in some way to help these people rebuild their lives. Instead of social services for these people being stretched the social cost is kept to a minimum outlay. 

The homeless can help the homeless by building their own community. With any community comes jobs and with jobs come business. It is a cycle of every day life that we live in yet take for granted. Our taxes would be better spent in this way rather than the current bureaucracy it is spent in. To at least try this sort of scheme is better than our current system.