Rather than throw together some type of tent city--which would only cause more problems with showers, toilets, cooking, space, heating, laundry, etc., why not put some of these out-of-work tradesmen or retirees together and build a fleet of tiny houses.  These are a more permanent structure, with all the above facilities, but on wheels.  When you get to the stage where actual permanent housing and the financing thereof comes to fruition, the tiny houses could be used for the homeless, sold off--to recoup the investment--, etc.  This is a more viable, quick solution.

Todd Ekstrom