I like the idea as a step toward building community and as an organizing tool for those left out (the overwhelming majority of the people). I'm sure there could be much learned from developing these kinds of programs.
The critique that the author mentions is a valid one: they may serve as temporary relief but one would need to incorporate into the program the notion that lasting change will only come from structural changes to the system itself.
And the argument about budget deficit is spot on.

"The liberals can understand everything but people who don't understand them."
Lenny Bruce

"The cleverest of all, in my opinion, is the man who calls himself a fool at least once a month."
Dostoevsky