I want to provide a service to homeless people in the US that gives
them a free phone number, linked to voicemail, that they can check
through an 800 number.  The question: what is the cheapest way to do
this using off-the-shelf services?

The basis for cost comparison could be either per-user per-month, or
per-user per-minute.

I'm aware of services like Netzero's privatephone.com that give people
a free unique number and voicemail box, but the 800 access seems
important for hassle-free access from payphones.  I'm also aware of
services like ringcentral.com that provide cheap 800 access with
forwarding to certain numbers.

To the extent that cheap pre-paid cellphones with no monthly fees,
cash payment, and free nights and weekends can compete on price, that
may also be an option.

The requirements:

1) They must be able to check their messages through an 800 number
from a typical payphone.  Their own number should not be an 800
number.

2) They must be able to record a personal greeting (preferably, the
greeting would be indistinguishable from a standard voicemail box)

3) The signup process should be simple enough that a volunteer with
internet access and basic web knowledge can do it in a few minutes. 
Preferably, the signup process could itself happen by phone.

4) The local number must be unique; callers shouldn't have to enter in
an extension.

5) The service should be able to provide numbers local to Worcester,
MA (where I live, and where I'm interested in doing a pilot).

6) I don't want to set up any services my self or write or customize
any software.  So, "set up an asterix server" or something like that
is not an okay answer.

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Request for Question Clarification by cynthia-ga on 06 Jul 2006 23:23 PDT

This might be helpful:

How to start a Community Voice Mail (CVM)
http://www.cvm.org/starting/starting.htm

Jeez. Why would Homeless people use/need private 800# and phone access.. 

Buy them Food. It helps!

They need a phone number to get a job.

I think this is a fantastic idea.  While I can't help you with your
question, I wish you all the best of luck with your project.  Maybe
it's worth speaking to your local council and/or telephone provider
they may be interested in helping your out, or at least may be able to
point you in the right direction.

This is a solution in search of a problem.

Voicemail, cellphone, and internet services are cheap enough that the
homeless who need them, already avail themselves.