Local leaders are looking for new ways to tackle the poverty problem in Syracuse.

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh joined forces Monday to launch “Hire Ground Workforce Development.” 

The program offers day-to-day work experience for homeless panhandlers. 

"It should give the opportunity to people who are really down and out, looking for an opportunity to get money to be able to go work," said McMahon.

The city is looking for businesses to help take part in the program.

They will also provide transportation for up to eight people to job sites. 

There will be no traditional process, including background checks or previous experience needed.

"This is one-on-one engagement with individuals who are not working and we're not taking them and putting them through an application process, we're taking these folks who are willing to take advantage of the opportunity in front of them,” said McMahon.

The program will also provide individualized services like mental health counseling. 

"The key is that once you can engage, you can get the other services that they need put in front of them so they can really take that next step,” said McMahon.