Michele Steeb

Background

About Michele Steeb

Michele Steeb is the founder of the Free Up Foundation and author of Answers Behind the RED DOOR: Battling the Homeless Epidemic, based on her 13 years as CEO of Northern California’s largest and most comprehensive program for homeless women and children. A nationally recognized thought leader on homelessness, Michele brings decades of leadership and policy experience rooted in real-world impact. She has consistently advanced reforms that dismantle failing systems and champion models rooted in human dignity, personal accountability, and holistic recovery. As Michele often says, “We must build a homelessness system that sees the whole person—not just their lack of housing—but their potential to recover, grow, and prosper.” Michele consults with communities and public policy organizations nationwide, including the Discovery Institute, where she currently serves as a Visiting Fellow. As a consultant, she guides leaders in developing place-based strategies that move beyond "housing first" to focus on healing—addressing addiction, mental illness, trauma, and the personal restoration necessary for lasting independence. Her insights have been featured across national platforms, including The Oprah Winfrey Show (2008) and Dr. Phil (2024), as well as in USA Today, The Washington Post, New York Post, FoxNews.com, The Daily Caller, Newsweek, The Federalist, and more. Michele believes true compassion means empowering individuals to reclaim their lives with structure, safety, and support— not abandoning them to deteriorate on the streets in the name of personal autonomy. Her work centers on restoring purpose, responsibility, and human connection for both those experiencing homelessness and the communities burdened by it. Appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown to the State’s Prison Industry Authority (2012–2020), Michele helped replicate her transitional model for women exiting prison. She has received numerous national awards for her work to build systems that deliver human restoration and public renewal.