We have multiple reasons to start something like this. The official reason is to help our community and come to the aid of our neighbor. Obviously there is more to it than just that. We also want to improve our social standing showing how we're selfless and responsible for example. We also want to improve some of those people's lives and livelihood for a few reasons, one has to do with criminality, the other, deeply linked with the first is racism, and the third is we want to try some pawns. Of course when I say it like that it sounds bad, but what I actually mean is finding someone who can't do much on his own, give him a new lease on life, a new starting point, and since he'll likely be grateful ask him a favor, like publishing a book in his name instead of ours — provided of course, we give him a cut of the profits. Obviously we won't be using the first 'hobo' we find, but as it is a long term plan, we're sure to find a couple or more potential targets.
