Two years ago Joe Carr was living in a homeless shelter, addicted to drugs and drink. Now he is a pillar of health and has gone back to college. It's all thanks to the 'Common Ground' project. It aims to provide permanent solutions instead of short term aid. "Homelessness is a solvable problem," explains founder Roseanne Haggerty. It converts derelict buildings into homes for people who might otherwise be on the streets. The buildings house everyone from the mentally ill to low income workers, providing a sense of community and helping them address their problems. Could this scheme be successfully applied to Europe?

Produced by ABC Australia