Ned Resnikoff for Demos: For the past year, Albuquerque, N.M., has been experimenting with a pilot jobs program for its homeless population called “There’s a Better Way.”

The initiative began as a push to connect the homeless with shelters and other assistance providers, but within a few months of its launch, the city also started offering needy residents $9 an hour to perform menial labor such as cleaning up litter. The program also offers lunch and overnight shelter to participants. …