Infancy, toddlerhood, and preschool years are full of exciting milestones. For tens of thousands of Michigan children, however, this development is disrupted by homelessness and the toxic stress that comes along with housing instability. Without needed supports and services, homelessness for a small child can have a lifelong impact on their ability to thrive in school and life. It is essential that children facing homelessness are not left behind as state and local leaders strive to move Michigan from number 37 in the country for education to the top ten by 2030.1
This report uses Michigan Department of Education data analyzed by Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan to explore homelessness between birth and age 4 and makes policy recommendations to ensure all children can enter kindergarten ready to learn.
Why This Matters
It is during the earliest years of life that the very architecture of children’s brains is built in ways that can affect their emotional and cognitive development, as well as their later outcomes in school and life. Trauma such as homelessness can change the makeup of a developing brain, leading to lifelong educational implications before a child even starts school.2 Because of this, the achievement gap that is seen in high school is already observable in children as young as 9 months old.3
Enrollment in an early education program can counteract some of these outcomes, but children facing homelessness are significantly less likely to participate in home visiting or center-based programs. Of those who are in preschool, 54% of children experiencing homelessness present with a major developmental delay, compared with only 16% of their housed peers. These trends continue throughout elementary school, where classroom engagement and math proficiency in third grade are correlated with homelessness during infancy and toddlerhood.4 By age 17, half of children who were formerly homeless have repeated at least one grade, and over 21% have repeated two grades, a rate at almost three times higher than their housed peers.5
In Michigan, public school children experiencing homelessness are distinguishable from their housed peers in several categories. Nearly half of children facing homelessness were chronically absent last school year, compared with only 19% of housed children.6 Likewise, only 57% of high school seniors identified as homeless graduated in 4 years, while 81% of housed seniors attained this accomplishment.7
About the Data
This report is based on data analysis conducted by Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan and data from the Michigan Department of Education8 to provide a conservative estimate of the number of children from birth through age 4 who are experiencing homelessness. The data is based on the number of public school first graders who were identified as homeless during the 2016-17 school year. This estimate assumes that the same percentage of children of each age are homeless, and comes to a total of 15,565 children from birth through age 4.9 However, research suggests that children are most likely to be homeless between birth and age 6, as much as 51% of the total population of children facing homelessness.10,11,12
Note: According to the Poverty Solutions report, A Snapshot of Homelessness and Housing Instability in Michigan Schools, Wayne County was likely undercounted significantly due to data collection issues in Detroit Public Schools Community District.13
The full data set used in this report will soon be available on the Kids Count Data Center.14
Early Childhood Homelessness in Michigan
People experiencing homelessness are difficult to count for a number of reasons, especially those who are not yet enrolled in school. First, the stigma and potential
consequences related to homelessness deter many people from identifying themselves in this way. Second, multiple definitions of homeless mean that a person who would be considered homeless under one definition would not be categorized that way under the other.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) considers individuals homeless if they are living in a shelter, in transitional housing, or in places not meant for human habitation. In 2017, this accounted for almost 6,000 children in Michigan from birth through age 4.15 However, educational institutions use a broader definition of homelessness under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which includes all children who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.16 Based on this definition, an estimated 15,565 children from birth through age 4 are homeless in the state of Michigan— over two-and-a-half times more than what is reported by the shelter system.
Homelessness is an issue that impacts young children and their families in all 83 counties in Michigan, ranging from 1% in Oakland and Dickinson counties to a high of over 13%.17 The three counties with the highest percentages of young children in situations of homelessness are Alger (11.1%), Lake (12%), and Arenac (13.3%), all very rural counties.
Of the 15,565 young children estimated to be experiencing homelessness, over 75% live in urban counties. However, children are about twice as likely to experience homelessness during their first four years of life if they are living in a rural or midsize county.
While some children may be enrolled in more than one program, about 3,110 children between the ages of birth and 5 who are experiencing homelessness are enrolled in a state- or federally-funded early childhood program.18 During the 2017-18 school year, 602 children enrolled in the state’s Great Start Readiness Program19 experienced homelessness.20 Likewise, Early On21 served 85 children22, Early Childhood Special education served 39623, and Early Head Start and Head Start served a combined 2,027.24 This means that at least 12,455—or 4 of every 5—children who are experiencing homelessness are not engaged in one of these early childhood programs.
Note: This research result used data structured and maintained by the MERI-Michigan Education Data Center (MEDC). MEDC data is modified for analysis purposes using rules governed by MEDC and are not identical to those data collected and maintained by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and/or Michigan’s Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI). Results, information and opinions solely represent the analysis, information and opinions of the author(s) and are not endorsed by, or reflect the views or positions of, grantors, MDE and CEPI or any employee thereof.
Source: Poverty Solutions at University of Michigan
What We Do About It
Adequate Data Collection
An accurate picture of early childhood homelessness is difficult to capture, as many children are not engaged with agencies that collect this data. This incomplete picture makes it difficult for state and local policymakers to determine what resources are necessary to support the population.
State lawmakers can implement a unified database that captures information regarding a family’s housing situation from the wide array of organizations they may be involved with. Agencies such as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Women, Infant, Children (WIC) programs, the Michigan Department of Education, Intermediate School Districts, shelters, local hospitals, childcare centers, and public schools interface with families of young children and can contribute to a more accurate count of those who are experiencing homelessness based on the McKinney-Vento definition. A clearer understanding of the scope of the issue, as well as any disparate impact to individuals based on their race or ethnicity, can lead to proper development and funding of resources to serve this population.
Coordination of Services
Families facing homelessness may work with agencies to secure food, shelter, transportation, education and healthcare services. In a disjointed system, families spend a great amount of time in the process of securing these services. Communities should enlist a system of care approach to coordinate two-generational, multidisciplinary services that include food banks, homeless and housing service agencies, early childhood providers, and organizations that offer physical and mental health services.25
Policymakers can support a common application and coordination of case management services, which would eliminate barriers of entry for families and allow agencies to use their resources more efficiently. A system of care approach creates an environment where a single case manager can work with a family to coordinate referrals based on individual needs, allow families to enroll in programs quicker, and offer seamless transitions between agencies based on changes the family may experience.
Early Childhood Education Opportunities
Early enrollment into a research-based program that focuses on building protective factors, such as executive functioning, self-regulation and early literacy skills, can support the development of a young child’s brain and is essential for those who have stressful experiences in early childhood that often impact typical development. Through a community needs assessment, local lawmakers and agencies can determine the need for additional services and rally local and statewide support for such programming.
It is imperative that those experiencing homelessness be prioritized as state and local lawmakers build the capacity to serve young children in early education programs. Lawmakers must include mechanisms to ensure programs conduct targeted outreach to recruit children facing homelessness so they are able to benefit from the enrichment early childhood programs provide.
Housing Discrimination
While protections for children facing homelessness are necessary to support their growth and development, helping families secure safe and stable housing is the most sustainable way to support young children. The Housing Choice Voucher program, funded by HUD, helps very low-income families by subsidizing rent costs. There are 28,000 vouchers available throughout the state of Michigan.27 In 2018, 44% of voucher recipients were adults with children.28 Although the voucher program is a valuable way to assist families, those who receive them often have a difficult time securing housing due to source of income discrimination. Landlords can choose not to accept vouchers, thus keeping families out of high-opportunity neighborhoods with quality schools and ample employment opportunities.
Lawmakers must support a source of income discrimination bill, which would make it illegal for landlords to reject potential tenants based on their income source. The cities of Ann Arbor, Lansing, East Lansing, Grand Rapids and Jackson have enacted policies that support those with alternative sources of income, but there is not a statewide policy that takes action against these discriminatory practices. In areas where this discrimination is legal, voucher recipients are denied at a rate of up to 78%, compared to only an average of 35% in municipalities where protections are in place.29 Adopting a source of income discrimination bill would help families secure safe and stable housing.
As state and local leaders strive to move the needle in education, it is essential that the connection between school outcomes and social issues for the state’s most vulnerable population is recognized and addressed simultaneously. Without addressing issues of child welfare, the Family Independence Program, affordable housing, healthcare and fair wages, among others, there will continue to be disparities between those with the tools to thrive and those without.
Endnotes:
- The Annie E. Casey Foundation (2019). 2019 Kids Count Data Book: State Trends in Child Well-Being
- Felitti, V. et. al. (1998). Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749-3797(98)00017-8
- Halle, T. et al. (2009). Disparities in Early Learning and Development: Lessons from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Birth Cohort (ECLS-BC). Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/publications/disparities-in-early-learning-and-development-lessons-from-the-early-childhood-longitudinal-study-birth-cohort-ecls-b
- Fantuzzo, J., LeBoeuf, W., Brumley, B., Perlman, S. (2014). A Population-Based Inquiry of Homeless Episode Characteristics and Early Educational Well-Being. Child and Youth Services Review. https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.childyouth.2013.02.016
- McCoy-Roth, M., Mackintosh, B., Murphey, D. (2012). When the Bough Breaks: The Effects of Homelessness on Young Children. Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/publications/when-the-bough-breaks-the-effects-of-homelessness-on-young-children
- http://www.mischooldata.org: K-12th Grade Student Counts Attendance
- http://www.mischooldata.org: Other Data Files Student Counts Grad/Dropout
- This research result used data structured and maintained by the MERI-Michigan Education Data Center (MEDC). MEDC data is modified for analysis purposes using rules governed by MEDC and are not identical to those data collected and maintained by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and/or Michigan’s Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI). Results, information and opinions solely represent the analysis, information and opinions of the author(s) and are not endorsed by, or reflect the views or positions of, grantors, MDE and CEPI or any employee thereof.
- Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan https://poverty.umich.edu/data-tools/data-tools-poverty-and-well-being-map-2018/
- Samuels, J., Shinn, M., & Buckner, J. C. (2010). Homeless Children: Update on Research, Policy, Programs, and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://aspe.hhs.gov/pdf-report/homeless-children-update-research-policy-programs-and-opportunities
- This would suggest that the number of children under 6 experiencing homelessness is closer to 37,861.
- Yamashiro, A., Yan, J., McLaughlin, J. (2018). Early Childhood Homelessness State Profiles 2018. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/disadv/homeless/early-childhood-homelessness-state-profiles.pdf?utm_source=Main+list&utm_campaign=62dcbb5795-MailChimp-Jan%231&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_96caefa5d6-62dcbb5795-79833919
- Erb-Downward, J., Evangelist, M. (2018). A Snapshot of Homelessness and Housing Instability in Michigan Schools. Retrieved from https://poverty.umich.edu/research-publications/policy-briefs/homelessness-michigan-schools/
- www.datacenter.kidscount.org
- Rose, K., Kaiser Van Dam, P., Brandy, K. (2019). Ending Homelessness in Michigan: 2017 Annual Report. Retrieved from https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mcteh/2017-Annual-Report-WEB_634753_7.pdf
- The term “homeless children and youths”–
(A) means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 103(a)(1)); and
(B) includes–(i) children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals; (ii) children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 103(a)(2)(C)); (iii) children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and (iv) migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).
https://nche.ed.gov/mckinney-vento-definition/ - Keweenaw County has been excluded in this data set due to issues of identification.
- Data not included for home visiting programs other than Early Head Start.
- Great Start Readiness Program is Michigan’s state-funded preschool program for 4-year-olds who meet income and other qualifications.
- http://www.mischooldata.org: Early Childhood Child Count
- Early On is Michigan’s state-funded early intervention program for children from birth to age 3 who qualify based on a developmental delay.
- http://www.mischooldata.org: Early Childhood Child Count
- http://www.mischooldata.org: Early Childhood Child Count
- United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start. Office of Head Start Program Information Report (PIR), Enrollment Statistics Report 2017-18
- Policy Statement on Meeting the Needs of Families with Young Children Experiencing and At Risk of Homelessness (2016). Retrieved from https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ecd/echomelessnesspolicystatement.pdf
- https://www.firststepskent.org/
- Housing Choice Voucher Program. Retrieved from https://www.michigan.gov/mshda/0,4641,7-141-5555_41607—,00.html
- Assisted Housing: National and Local. Retrieved from https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/assthsg.html
- Cunningham, M. et al. (2018). A Pilot Study of Landlord Acceptance of Housing Choice Vouchers. Retrieved from https://www.cbpp.org/research/housing/prohibiting-discrimination-against-renters-using-housing-vouchers-improves-results
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
