While federal officials in Washington are trying out different approaches to reduce foreclosures such as modifying mortgage loan terms, a Miami resident is applying his own unique solution to twin problems besetting many states - homelessness and foreclosed houses.

Tapping the Internet and volunteer teams, Max Rameau uses his Take Back the Land Foundation to match the homeless with vacant units that were foreclosed. Since January he has helped six families find temporary dwellings, although his efforts are expected to generate controversy. So far, federal, state and local officials have not stopped him.

Miami City spokeswoman Kelly Penton explained because of the absence of complaints by property owners who have already abandoned their units, the program does not have any problem so far with authorities. She added the police is too busy with other tasks that they have no spare time to look for squatters.

Rameau defended his program. He told USA Today, "It's morally indefensible to have vacant homes sitting there, potentially for years, while you have human beings on the street."

Rameau is not alone in his efforts to help the homeless have temporary shelter. Housing advocates in Cleveland are attempting to tap city money to purchase abandoned houses which they plan to rent out to the homeless. Atlanta homeowners are even willing to pay the homeless to stay in the meantime in their foreclosed homes while guarding the property at the same time.

According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 44 percent of the U.S.' 744,000 homeless do not have a roof over their head. "With so many abandoned properties, I predict more and more non-profit groups will try to take advantage of the situation," Michael Stoops, executive director of the coalition, told USA Today.

Rameau is selective when it comes to matching. Families he chooses must pay some amount to ensure electric and water services are available. The families could stay in the abandoned units until they save enough to move into another home or if the owners arrive with the police to evict them.

The relative success of Rameau's program which has no government funding, contrasts with the heavily-funded federal bailouts of the housing industry which has produced little results. According to a recent report from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, majority of the 200,000 borrowers who had their loan terms modified are again at the risk of foreclosure because they missed several monthly payments again.