Advocate
BRINGING SOLUTIONS TO MICHIGAN
#ThePowerOfOne
The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness advocates at the local, state, and federal level for proven policies and additional resources to make sure everyone in Michigan has a home. There are many ways for you to join us in our advocacy work – please select one (or more) of the many options available to you.
#ThePowerOfOne
Join Our Legislative Action Committee
Join us the first Monday of each month from Noon – 1:00 PM to learn about state and federal legislative updates and call to actions. Register here.
Learn About Advocacy Day
Thank you to all who joined us on Wednesday, March 15 for our most recent (in-person) Advocacy Day. To see photos from the event, click here. We are already underway with the planning for next year.
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Read Our Advocacy Blog
Check here for our position statements on many state and federal legislation,
Receive Our Newsletter
Receive monthly updates and important legislative call to actions by clicking emailing Amy Stephenson at astephenson@mihomeless to be added to the list.
*MCAH’s policy priorities were developed with Board, member and stakeholder input and are in alignment with the Federal Strategic Plan to End Homelessness and the MI Campaign to End Homelessness’ 2023-2025 Action Plan.
Reduce Barriers
Preserve and Expand Income Supports
A MI worker earning minimum wage ($9.87/hr) must work 62 hours a week to afford a modest one-bedroom rental at Fair Market Rent. (Out of Reach report- NLIHC)
Criminal justice reform
Expand housing options for persons exiting criminal justice settings
Individuals who were formerly convicted or incarcerated are 10 times more likely to experience homelessness. (CEHA)
Reduce Racial Disparities
Reduce housing discrimination for people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities
Black Americans pay on average $150 more on a security deposit than white Americans. Black Michiganders represent 14% of the state population (US Census) however they account for 52% of the homeless population. (CTEH)
Support racial equity impact analysis for proposed legislation
The proposed racial equity impact analysis process would be an examination of how different racial and ethnic groups will likely be affected by proposed MI legislation and is used to mitigate or eliminate unanticipated or unintended adverse racial disparities.
Increase Access to Affordable Housing
Increase funding and supports for Permanent Supportive Housing
Maintaining housing stability for the vulnerable population of persons experiencing long term homelessness requires a sustained investment in supportive services. Currently, funding for PSH services consists of a braided mix of multiple sources.
Support Housing First
Housing First is the most effective approach for ending homelessness for most individuals and families. Housing First is a bipartisan, evidence-based practice backed by multiple, national studies. (National Low Income Housing Coalition)
Enact Tenant Protections
The National Coalition for Civil Right to Counsel reports that in July 2022, a national average revealed 3% of tenants were represented by counsel in eviction cases and landlords were represented 82% of the time. In Michigan, only 4.8% of tenants had attorney representation in eviction cases from 2014-2018. (UofM)
Other Supports
Funding for sheltering and shelter improvements
In response to a one-time RFP, MDHHS received more than 60 applications from shelters across the state for facility improvement funding in FY2022-FY2023, demonstrating the lack of available funding and need for facility habitability improvements.
Increased mental health supports
According to the CDC, 1 in 5 Americans will experience a mental illness in a given year. 40% of those experiencing homelessness also experience mental health-related issues. Six months after the launch of the statewide 988 Suicide and Crisis line in 2022, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported call volumes are up 15% across the state.
MCAH’s Legislative Action Committee is a vehicle for volunteers to help shape policy on issues of homelessness in Michigan. Together, we:
- Identify and work toward policy that better represents the needs of the homeless population throughout our state;
- Discuss and strategize with viewpoints from the field, urban and rural communities, and the state capitol;
- Train and educate ourselves and decision makers about the impact of policy on individuals and families experiencing homelessness;
- Engage and advocate with policy makers to enact change and improve the lives of our clients, friends, family, and fellow Michiganders.
Register for our monthly webinar on the first Monday of the month from 12:00 – 1:00.
Meeting recordings available at MCAH’s YouTube Channel.
JOIN US ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15 FOR OUR 7TH ANNUAL
HOMELESSNESS ADVOCACY DAY!
Our 2023 event will be IN PERSON THIS YEAR! We hope you’ll join us for a chance to advocate for affordable housing and better homelessness policy in Michigan. Registration includes access to our educational sessions, materials, and assistance with scheduling legislative meetings with your state Representative and Senator. For more information on how you can get involved, contact Lisa Chapman at lchapman@mihomeless.org
Thank you for the overwhelming response. We have over 90 people registrated and are closing registration at this time due to space constraints. If you would like to become involved in our advocacy efforts, email Lisa at lchapman@mihomeless.org
Keynote Speaker
We are honored to host as our keynote speaker State Senator Sam Singh, representing the 28th District, which includes parts of Grand Ledge, Lansing, Lansing Township and more. Mr. Singh has served three terms as State Representative, from 2013-2018, where he was a passionate champion for issues facing working families, K-12 education, veterans and climate change. In his last term, his colleagues selected him to serve as the Democratic Leader.
Thank You to Our State and Federal Advocacy Partners
