The WPA was an absolute failure. It did nothing to raise people out of poverty. It didn't teach people skills they could use later. It was primarily busy work. You're mythologizing the WPA.
You are entitled to your opinion no matter that it is a minority one. I am not mythologizing the WPA. The passage was in quotes. It's what historians say about the WPA. If it was a failure, it seems it is because after 8 years of supposed success, the economy became so robust, largely due to WWII, that it was no longer needed.
"Criticism of the WPA
It's been my observation that whenever the government--especially the federal government--performs an action, or creates a law or program, that is designed to help those in need, a flurry of criticism and panic ensues. This can be seen throughout America's history, during attempts to end slavery, or give women the right to vote, or prohibit small children from working in mines, or in the legislation to create Social Security, or Medicare, or the recent attempts to see that more Americans have access to affordable health insurance or have extended unemployment benefits while unemployment rates remain high." http://www.wpatoday.org/WPA_History.html
There is nothing dishonest in exampling personal experiences. I've clearly stated that I live in a neighborhood where if there are people on public assistance, they are largely invisible. Like you say you have, I've seen homeless camps in and around Portland, albeit from a distance. I agree that they are a plight on the city. They are also an embarrassment. If city officials could figure out how to make these camps disappear, they surely would.
HUD housing is mainly done via vouchers these days. HUD housing could be anywhere. Blocks of section 8 housing, ghettos if you prefer are largely a thing of the past. Although there is HUD housing in most cities in Oregon, there is none in West Linn, OR. Those wanting an upscale neighborhood with subsidized housing can find it in Lake Oswego, a neighboring suburb. Much of HUD housing is reserved for seniors and the disabled. My sister, who is disabled, lives in a subsidized assisted living/retirement community in Salem, OR.