The Real Face of Homelessness: Poverty, Policy & the Myths We Must Leave Behind

What if everything you thought you knew about homelessness was incomplete? In this thought-provoking episode of *UnHoused & UnFiltered*, hosts Nick Cook and Sarah Prout-Rennie welcome Professor Lyon-Callo of Western Michigan University, a nationally recognized researcher who has spent more than three decades studying homelessness, poverty, and public policy. Together, they unpack the economic realities driving today's housing crisis, challenging the persistent myth that homelessness is primarily the result of individual failure. The conversation explores rising housing costs, stagnant wages, income inequality, Housing First, youth homelessness, and why so many people experiencing homelessness are employed or attending school. Professor Lyon-Callo also examines how shrinking community connections, the loss of public spaces, and increasing social isolation contribute to housing instability. The discussion highlights the disproportionate impacts on LGBTQ+ youth, survivors of domestic violence, and communities of color while urging listeners to question common narratives and look to evidence-based solutions. Grounded in both research and frontline experience, this episode offers a compelling reminder that homelessness is not inevitable—it is the result of policy choices, and different choices can create different outcomes.