Hi there ARMCHAIR CRITIC...

Your level of energy and positivism is incredible and even more; laudable. When juxtaposed with my own thinking, I'd rank a dismal last, in such stakes, unfortunately. Perhaps I'm more pragmatic than is good for me, tending to look upon the poor, the indigent, and the many (discarded) mentally ill, with nothing more than sadness, despair even hopelessness.

I wish I could turn back time, and have you spend a couple of shifts with us on the truck, during the 2300h - 0700h shift. It would allow you to observe first hand, what it's like trying to assist, those who don't wish for our assistance, mumbling we're just dirty 'effing' cops always harassing them.

Whether your vitality and enthusiasm equates with your dictum ('...Failure is not an option. Make it happen...') and gives some impetus or momentum for others to follow, remains to be seen? It would seem to me, short of outright war, many Australians have this attitude '...she'll be right - yeah I'll have another cold one when you're ready Mate...? Apathy & indifference personified. Sometimes that casual attitude both annoys and horrifies in equal measure. But hey, I'm only one person.

As long as such help involves a tiny degree of responsibility people shy away, preferring homelessness.
A National service scheme could have a section with a particular focus on homeless & generally unemployable. They could be housed & fed but they'd need to give a little in return even if only sweeping pathways etc within their accommodation complex. The whole idea is to get people to feel that they do belong & immediately their mentality will go a notch towards improving.
Menial tasks will soon give them the incentive to better themselves. But, all this has to start at the bottom of the ladder.
I've found many unemployed are actually in favour of such a scheme. It's the academic social engineers who don't want it because it'd leave them out in the cold because they'd be of no use to anyone !

individual,

There is merit in what you say; unfortunately, having people dependent on government and charity is all part of the Left's credo. People are much easier to control that way.

Hey O Sung Wu,
Obviously as a part of due diligence we need people like yourself and Paul1405 to advise on any grand schemes before they can be taken seriously.

You're the ones who've been out there boots on the ground with the ability to know right away whether something will or wont be well received.
And people like ALTRAV who are experienced in solving problems;
Finding the flaws in plans before you get half-way through and go:
"Oh geez, I didn't bloody think of that...'

I don't know why the world hasn't figured out a universal best solution for homelessness.

My ideas aren't bad, but needs a more comprehensive plan.

First you'd have to decide a heap of designs for cost effective solutions and get the homeless to sign onto the idea.

So, you'd need a website and a change.org petition.
The website showcases the emergency housing designs and the plan to 'make it happen';
The change.org petition will be used to lobby government and local MPs and drive interest and support.
Go out and mingle the homeless in identifiable shirts; listen to their stories, and for those willing share their stories hashtag #homeless on social media.
Hand out bottles of water and meals (and other basic essentials) and pamphlets of the emergency housing plan to gain awareness and support for it.
Try to get some media coverage, like The Today Show or Current Affair and use Facebook and Instagram to drive a social media campaign.
After you get the homeless to support it get the organisations that assist them to also advocate and lobby government and local MPs.
Make some catchy phrase and logo.

Go with something they can't say no to.

'All we want is the same money that you provide in rent assistance for people with homes spent on us for 'emergency housing' solutions.

- It's not asking for too much, right?

With community support they wont be able to oppose it.

- And that's how you do it, suddenly I feel like a lefty promoting change, Ughh...

Here's the in-between solutions:
http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/komodo-premium-3m-x-3m-pop-gazebo-marquee/
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/263595895036

Last nights QxA put front and center the life of a 62 year old lady on new start
If the could not careless government was watching they may, at least, raise new start for those they know are unlikely to find a job
The over 55 year olds
Or be content with turning even more out on the streets

A major problem with homelessness is that many if not most homeless are so due to drug problems making remedies difficult. For this reason, the number of homeless remains pretty much constant irrespective of whether there is a labor government or liberal.

In fact I recall that after Rudd's call to action on the issue, the number of homeless had actually risen slightly.