Homelessness Research

Homelessness can take a variety of forms: living in a shelter, in motels, doubled up with family or friends, on the streets, and other places not intended for long-term housing.

A lack of stable housing has long-term effects on people's health and ability to hold a job and succeed in school. Poverty Solutions' research sheds new light on the causes and consequences of homelessness and points to evidence-based interventions.

Featured Homelessness Research from Poverty Solutions

The Educational Implications of Homelessness and Housing Instability in Detroit

This databook, published in 2021, made new data on homelessness among K-12 students available to key stakeholders and policymakers in the City of Detroit in order to improve program planning and services.

View the databook

U-M Poverty Solutions staff work with youth in the Detroit Phoenix Center's Summer Leaders Academy

A multi-year collaboration between U-M’s Poverty Solutions and the Detroit Phoenix Center aims to include the perspectives of Detroit youth who have experienced housing instability in conversations about homelessness response.

See the youths' stories

a person with their head in their lap while sitting on steps

This policy brief finds homeless youth in Michigan face much higher risks to their health and well-being and are accessing primary health care at much lower rates than their housed peers.

Read the policy brief