In the complex landscape of homelessness prevention, one Michigan leader is proving that systematic data collection can be a powerful weapon against a persistent social challenge. Eric Hufnagel, Executive Director of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH), has spent decades working in nonprofit and public service roles. Still, his current position puts him at the center of a statewide effort that’s quietly revolutionizing how communities address homelessness.

MCAH operates as an umbrella organization connecting nearly 600 agencies across all 83 Michigan counties through a comprehensive data system called the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Unlike many states that rely on fragmented approaches, Michigan has achieved something remarkable: universal participation in a coordinated data collection effort that provides unprecedented insight into who experiences homelessness and what interventions work.

The numbers reveal sobering realities. While Black residents comprise only 12-13% of Michigan’s general population, they represent approximately 40% of the state’s homeless population—a disparity that has remained stubbornly consistent over time. This data not only highlights problems but also drives policy conversations and funding decisions at both the state and federal levels.

Hufnagel’s background brings a unique perspective to the role. Having worked in mental health services and currently serving as a City Commissioner in St. Johns, Michigan, he understands both the grassroots challenges and the policy mechanisms needed for systemic change. His attraction to MCAH stemmed from recognizing homelessness as the persistent issue that touched every organization he’d worked with, yet no single entity claimed responsibility for solving it comprehensively.

The coalition’s approach goes beyond simply collecting statistics. MCAH trains local agency staff, ensures data quality, and creates “data warehouses” that cross-reference information from different social service sectors. For example, comparing Medicaid usage among homeless individuals helps identify where additional healthcare support might prevent housing instability.

Federal mandates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) require agencies receiving federal funding to participate in HMIS systems. Still, Michigan’s implementation stands out for its completeness and sophistication. This comprehensive approach enables MCAH to advocate effectively for policy changes, such as recent legislation prohibiting “source of income discrimination” that prevents landlords from rejecting tenants simply because their rent comes from government vouchers or non-traditional income sources.

However, Hufnagel acknowledges the ongoing challenge of translating data into action. While numbers can make compelling cases for policy changes, elected officials often gravitate toward visible, immediate solutions, such as emergency shelters, rather than addressing root causes through mental health services, job training, or affordable housing development.

The funding landscape reflects this complexity. Most resources originate from federal sources, particularly the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), while state and local governments play supporting roles within their respective capacity constraints. MCAH’s advocacy work aims to ensure these various funding streams align with what the data shows works.

Despite the demanding nature of nonprofit leadership, Hufnagel maintains perspective through family time and comedy, simple pleasures that prevent burnout in emotionally challenging work. His message to those interested in supporting the cause is straightforward: reach out, get involved, and recognize that ending homelessness requires sustained collaboration rather than individual heroics.

Through methodical data collection and strategic advocacy, MCAH demonstrates that systematic approaches can make measurable progress against seemingly intractable social problems, one policy change and one partnership at a time.