Homelessness in Muskegon County
Homelessness Data & Updates for Muskegon County
This page serves as a hub for important updates and information related to homelessness in Muskegon County. Here, you’ll find data from past Housing Inventory Counts and Point-in-Time Counts, along with other key insights and announcements.
The CoC believes that data plays a critical role in driving meaningful change. That’s why we’re committed to bringing data to the forefront—presenting it in ways that are accessible, understandable, and useful for everyone in our community.
This page serves as a hub for important updates and information related to homelessness in Muskegon County. Here, you’ll find data from past Housing Inventory Counts and Point-in-Time Counts, along with other key insights and announcements.
The CoC believes that data plays a critical role in driving meaningful change. That’s why we’re committed to bringing data to the forefront—presenting it in ways that are accessible, understandable, and useful for everyone in our community.
What is Chronic Homelessness?
Chronic homelessness refers to individuals or families who are homeless for at least 12 consecutive months or have had four or more episodes of homelessness in the past three years totaling 12 months, and who have a disabling condition such as a serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disability. Homelessness must occur in places not meant for human habitation, emergency shelters, or safe havens.
Why this Definition Matter?
The chronic homelessness designation is used to prioritize individuals and families for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), a housing intervention that pairs long-term housing assistance with supportive services. Chronically homeless individuals often have the most complex needs and highest system utilization, making targeted interventions both ethically imperative and cost-effective.
The pie chart above illustrates the disability data reported by individuals who entered the homeless response system in 2024. 34% of clients identified as having a mental health disorder, underscoring the critical need for accessible, coordinated, and trauma-informed mental health services in Muskegon County. This data highlights the strong correlation between mental health challenges and housing instability, reinforcing the importance of integrating behavioral health support within the broader homeless response system.
Close behind mental health disorders, 33% of clients reported having a physical disability, highlighting the urgent need for physically accessible housing options in Muskegon County. For individuals with limited mobility, access to housing is not just about shelter—it's about safety, dignity, and independence. Ensuring that sidewalks, buildings, and the overall built environment are accessible is essential to supporting long-term housing stability and quality of life for people with physical disabilities.
Close behind mental health disorders, 33% of clients reported having a physical disability, highlighting the urgent need for physically accessible housing options in Muskegon County. For individuals with limited mobility, access to housing is not just about shelter—it's about safety, dignity, and independence. Ensuring that sidewalks, buildings, and the overall built environment are accessible is essential to supporting long-term housing stability and quality of life for people with physical disabilities.
Who We Serve: Insights into Household Types
The homeless response system in Muskegon County serves people from all walks of life. While many may picture a single narrative when they think of homelessness, the reality is far more complex. Homelessness can affect anyone—individuals, families, youth, seniors, and people of all backgrounds and abilities. Recognizing this diversity is essential to building effective, compassionate, and equitable solutions.
The pie chart above provides a breakdown of household composition among individuals entering the homeless response system. In this context, family households, making up 16% of the population, are defined as those including at least one adult (18 or older) and one child (under 18). Adult-only households, making up 84% of the population, consist solely of individuals over the age of 18 and often just a single individual but sometimes are made up of two adult individuals.
This data highlights a critical reality: while there is a significant need for affordable housing across the board, the demand for affordable single-unit housing is especially pressing. At the same time, the need for larger family-sized units cannot be overlooked.
As rent prices continue to rise, both household types face serious barriers to stable housing. For single adults, market-rate units are often unaffordable on one income. For families, securing housing large enough for children is increasingly out of reach without multiple income sources—often forcing caregivers to choose between working long hours or being present with their children. These challenges underscore the urgent need for diverse, affordable housing solutions that meet the realities of both individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
This data highlights a critical reality: while there is a significant need for affordable housing across the board, the demand for affordable single-unit housing is especially pressing. At the same time, the need for larger family-sized units cannot be overlooked.
As rent prices continue to rise, both household types face serious barriers to stable housing. For single adults, market-rate units are often unaffordable on one income. For families, securing housing large enough for children is increasingly out of reach without multiple income sources—often forcing caregivers to choose between working long hours or being present with their children. These challenges underscore the urgent need for diverse, affordable housing solutions that meet the realities of both individuals and families experiencing homelessness.