Beyond the Numbers: How Data is Changing the Fight Against Homelessness

Beyond the Numbers: How Data is Changing the Fight Against Homelessness

In this episode of UnHoused & UnFiltered, hosts Nick Cook and Sarah Prout-Rennie welcome MCAH Director of Data Initiatives Gerry Leslie for an eye-opening conversation about the power of data in shaping homelessness policy and improving lives across Michigan. Gerry explains how Michigan's unique statewide Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) helps policymakers, service providers, and advocates move beyond assumptions and make decisions based on real, verifiable evidence. Together, they explore why permanent housing solutions continue to demonstrate remarkable success rates, how homelessness intersects with healthcare and mental health, and why investing in housing ultimately saves taxpayer dollars while improving health outcomes. The discussion also dispels common myths surrounding homelessness, including misconceptions about substance use, and highlights the importance of accurate data in guiding effective public policy. The episode examines how emerging initiatives like HMIS Reimagined and the Democratization of Data campaign could make homelessness information more transparent, accessible, and actionable for communities across Michigan. Nick and Sarah also provide an update on the latest HUD litigation, discussing recent legal victories, new challenges surrounding the 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and what these developments mean for homelessness funding and providers statewide. If you've ever wondered where the numbers behind homelessness come from—or why they matter—this episode demonstrates that behind every data point is a person, and behind every informed policy decision is the opportunity to change lives.

The Real Face of Homelessness: Poverty, Policy & the Myths We Must Leave Behind

What if everything you thought you knew about homelessness was incomplete? In this thought-provoking episode of UnHoused & UnFiltered, hosts Nick Cook and Sarah Prout-Rennie welcome Professor Lyon-Callo of Western Michigan University [https://wmich.edu/sociology/directory/lyon-callo], a nationally recognized researcher who has spent more than three decades studying homelessness, poverty, and public policy. Together, they unpack the economic realities driving today's housing crisis, challenging the persistent myth that homelessness is primarily the result of individual failure. The conversation explores rising housing costs, stagnant wages, income inequality, Housing First, youth homelessness, and why so many people experiencing homelessness are employed or attending school. Professor Lyon-Callo also examines how shrinking community connections, the loss of public spaces, and increasing social isolation contribute to housing instability. The discussion highlights the disproportionate impacts on LGBTQ+ youth, survivors of domestic violence, and communities of color while urging listeners to question common narratives and look to evidence-based solutions. Grounded in both research and frontline experience, this episode offers a compelling reminder that homelessness is not inevitable—it is the result of policy choices, and different choices can create different outcomes.

HUD Watch: The $108 Million Question — What the New Federal Funding Rules Mean for Michigan

In Episode 10 of UnHoused & UnFiltered, hosts Nick Cook and Sarah Prout-Rennie take an in-depth look at the newly released federal Continuum of Care (CoC) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and why they believe it represents one of the most significant threats to Michigan's homeless response system in decades. They explain how the proposed changes could fundamentally reshape how homelessness services are funded, potentially placing between 3,500 and 5,000 currently housed Michiganders at risk of returning to homelessness while limiting services for thousands more. The discussion explores the shift away from permanent supportive housing, new definitions of self-sufficiency, expanded treatment requirements, and how rural communities could be disproportionately impacted by the new scoring criteria. Nick and Sarah also examine concerns surrounding harm reduction, disability eligibility, encampment policies, and the growing challenges facing older adults, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness for the first time. They discuss the ongoing legal challenges surrounding HUD's implementation of the funding process and why these changes extend beyond policy differences into questions of federal authority and constitutional law. The episode also highlights MCAH's estimate that Michigan will need approximately $30 million in state funding to help stabilize housing programs and reduce the impact of anticipated federal funding losses. Throughout the conversation, the hosts emphasize that homelessness is driven by housing affordability, economic pressures, and limited resources—not personal failure—and encourage listeners to engage with their elected officials, support local homeless service providers, and advocate for evidence-based solutions that keep people safely housed.

Justice Beyond the Courtroom: How Street Democracy Is Changing Lives One Case at a Time

Episode Summary: A single legal mistake, unpaid fine, missed court date, or minor offense can create barriers that follow someone for years—impacting employment, housing, transportation, and stability. In this episode of UnHoused & UnFiltered, we sit down with Felicity Tyll from Street Democracy [https://www.streetdemocracy.org/] to explore how a dedicated team of attorneys and legal advocates is working to change that reality. Felicity shares how Street Democracy is transforming access to justice through innovative programs including Street Court, legal concierge services, and system-change advocacy designed to remove legal barriers before they become lifelong obstacles. We discuss the intersection of homelessness and the justice system, why seemingly minor legal issues can spiral into housing instability, and how proactive legal support can help people maintain employment, secure housing, and avoid deeper involvement in the criminal legal system. This conversation shines a light on the power of legal advocacy, the importance of second chances, and the growing movement to ensure that one legal misstep does not permanently alter the course of someone's life. Whether you're a service provider, advocate, policymaker, or community member, this episode offers valuable insight into the role justice reform plays in creating pathways to stability and opportunity. Listen, subscribe, and join the conversation as we explore solutions that help people move forward—not remain defined by their past.

From Surviving to Leading: Youth Homelessness Through the Eyes of Experience

In Episode 8 of UnHoused and UnFiltered, we sit down with youth homelessness advocate and leader Azaria Terrell to explore the realities facing young people experiencing homelessness in Michigan and beyond. Drawing from both her lived experience and her extensive work on youth advisory boards and advocacy initiatives, Azaria offers a powerful perspective on the barriers young people face while navigating homelessness, housing instability, and systems designed to support them. The conversation examines the connection between foster care involvement and youth homelessness, the challenges created by limited transitional supports, and the critical importance of ensuring young people have access to stable housing, trusted adults, education, employment opportunities, and community connections. But this episode is also about hope. Azaria highlights the resilience, innovation, and leadership of young people who are shaping solutions and changing systems. As a recognized leader across Michigan, she shares lessons learned, promising practices, and what policymakers, service providers, and communities can do to better support youth on their path to stability and success. This is a candid and inspiring conversation about lived experience, leadership, and why investing in young people today creates stronger communities tomorrow. Listen, learn, and join us as we elevate the voices of youth who are not only surviving homelessness—but helping lead the movement to end it.