The most recent Ending Homelessness in Michigan annual report is out, and we cannot ignore the numbers as the state grapples with a housing affordability crisis.
As we work to create an economy that ensures everyone has the safe home that we all need to thrive, we must learn from our successes in reducing homelessness and fight back against malicious, irrational policies threatening our progress.
According to the report, Michigan saw a slight increase in its homeless population in 2018 following several years of decline. In positive news, the percentage of homeless people successfully obtaining and retaining permanent housing is increasing. Homelessness is rising, however, for families with children and unaccompanied minors, and the numbers continue to reflect the impacts of racism and injustice for people with disabilities.
Unbelievably, the President Trump administration is proposing to increase red tape for those who receive disability benefits, which are already hard to get and woefully inadequate to meet people’s basic needs in a world that’s not designed for their well-being.
African Americans are only 13% of Michigan’s population but 52% of the state’s homeless population. This is the result of historical and ongoing discrimination in education, employment and housing, as well as blatant theft of Black wealth by government and the private sector.
Native Americans and Alaska Natives are overrepresented and most likely undercounted among the homeless population. A lack of access to safe, stable housing is one of the many manifestations of the social, political and economic harm federal and state policies have inflicted on Native communities. Yet indigenous people are often rendered invisible in the data and left out of conversations about how to address homelessness.
The upward trend in homelessness among older adults continued in 2018. Half of Michiganders experiencing chronic homelessness (lasting at least a year, or four episodes totaling at least 12 months in the last three years) are 55 or older. More than three in four homeless people in this age bracket have an identified disability.
At $649, the average monthly income for a family experiencing homelessness isn’t enough to cover housing and other basic necessities. Supports like vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are crucial to bridging the gap for more than 55,000 Michigan families. Many landlords, however, won’t accept housing vouchers and some also discriminate against families with other non-wage sources of income, such as Social Security.
Some communities require landlords to accept all legal sources of income as payment. The Michigan League for Public Policy is proud to join our partner the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH) in calling for a law to protect renters’ civil rights statewide, and we thank state Reps. Robert Wittenberg (D-Huntington Woods) and Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor) and state Sen. Mitch Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) for sponsoring legislation to do just that.
While this legislation is encouraging, more is needed to counteract an incoming tidal wave of policies that threaten to undermine housing stability for even more people and then criminalize them for experiencing homelessness.
Of particular concern in Michigan is legislation requiring able-bodied adults on the Healthy Michigan Plan (Medicaid expansion) to work at least 80 hours per month or lose their health coverage. Through Medicaid expansion and insurance premium assistance, increased coverage under the Affordable Care Act has had a life-changing impact on housing stability and economic security for families all over the country.
This policy took effect on Wednesday and jeopardizes health coverage and the broader security that comes with it for up to 100,000 Michiganders. Following massive coverage losses in Arkansas and several pending lawsuits against the federal government, a number of other states have wisely paused their efforts to implement Medicaid work requirements. Michigan should follow suit.
We know what works in ending homelessness, and there’s more than enough wealth in the United States to ensure that everyone has a safe place to live. The vital resource we’re lacking is the political will to create an economy that reflects the inherent value of all people. You can help us change that by joining MCAH’s Legislative Advocacy Committee and sticking with us in the fight for equitable housing.
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.
