Participate

EVERY MICHIGANDER HAS A ROLE TO PLAY

Homelessness is a complex problem, but solving it is simplified when all Michiganders do their part. Having
a solid plan is important, but knowing our unique roles in implementation of the plan is what will truly drive the
things we are able to achieve as a state over the next three years.

COC LEADERSHIP, HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS, ADVOCATES, AND
COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, PEOPLE WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE OF HOMELSSENESS (PWLE)

• Continue the transformational work of providing direct services and supports such as creating or expanding Shelter Diversion and Homelessness Prevention Programs, and supporting the racial equity work underway across the state to make our programs more just and equitable
• Ensure that dignity and respect are front and center in your day to day interactions with everybody
• Ask for what you need in order to do your work well and advocate at local & state levels.  For more information about what is currently happening across the state check out the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness website
• Establish partnerships with agencies outside of the CoC
• Help move the work forward at the state level by joining a committee.  See the full list of committees here 
• Invite (and compensate) PWLE to speak up and speak out about their experiences with homelessness; ask them what is working and what is not; devise strategies to employ PWLE in various roles throughout your agency/CoC
• Engage (and compensate) PWLE in planning and decision making at local and state levels to help advance the goals within the Action Plan and hold others accountable when progress is not being made
• Challenge people to continue to evolve and accept, as well as appreciate feedback from people with lived experience expertise and always uplift them in consulting and decision making roles

PUBLIC OFFICIALS AT STATE, TRIBAL, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL LEVELS;
INCLUDING ELECTED OFFICIALS

• Provide leadership and accountability for progress on this plan, using your voice and power to advance the goals within public forums, funding processes, and when establishing new policies • Seek opportunities to cede power and elevate voices that aren’t traditionally honored • Provide the funding and other resources necessary to achieve the goals within this plan
• Keep people experiencing homelessness front and center as you create policies, make funding
decisions, and prioritize your work  

HOUSING DEVELOPERS AND PRIVATE LANDLORDS

• Minimize barriers to housing by removing unnecessary screening criteria and working to eliminate
bias and stigma about people experiencing homelessness
• Partner with homeless service providers to house people experiencing homelessness

PHILANTHROPY AND PRIVATE BUSINESSES

• Use your collective voice and power to influence local and state policies that align with the goals in
this action plan and to convene partners around shared vision and opportunities
• Support and challenge homeless service providers through flexible funding
• Provide employment opportunities to people experiencing homelessness

ALL MICHIGANDERS

• Learn about homelessness and dispel myths about the people who experience homelessness in MI
• Build awareness of, engagement in, and responsibility for efforts to prevent and end homelessness
• Engage policymakers at every level of government about efforts to prevent and end homelessness
• Donate resources, goods, and time to organizations serving people experiencing homelessness

To learn more about how you can get involved in these efforts, please contact Jason Weller at wellerj5@michigan.gov.