Housing

Introduction

Housing is a basic human need and a critical component of community health and prosperity for all Tulsans. Ensuring access to housing for a growing population with a diversity of needs requires a holistic policy approach to achieve quality and affordability, regardless of the housing type and life situation. 

Official Plans

• Homlessness Resources Guide 
• City’s Affordable Housing Strategy
• A Way Home for Tulsa Strategic Plan
• Tulsa Citywide Housing Assessment

Travis Hulse serves as the Housing Policy Director tasked with leading the City’s housing priorities. As a public servant of Tulsa for more than 7 years, he regularly collaborates with public and private organizations to build consensus across various housing topics and move Tulsa toward becoming a globally competitive, world-class city. 

For questions, comments or additional information, please email Travis Hulse.

Our Housing Partners

• Tulsa Housing Authority
• A Way Home For Tulsa
• Tulsa Planning Office
• PartnerTulsa
• Development Services
• Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Tulsa Housing Challenge

Initially announced in Mayor Bynum’s 2022 State of the City address, the City has exceeded the mayor’s two-year $500 Million Housing Challenge goal in under one year, with the total sitting at $512.43 million as of November 2023. This captures all types of housing projects (new construction, renovations, conversions) and a variety of single-family, multi-family, and everything in-between. Work to grow that number continues.

If you represent an organization that has an interest in housing development, we would love to hear from you on how you wish to join the cause. Take the Survey

If you want to join this historic effort or have a specific housing project that you wish to discuss, please email housing@cityoftulsa.org and someone will be in touch with you shortly.

Housing Programs & Incentives

Housing, Homelessness & Mental Health Task Force
Announced by Mayor Bynum during his 2022 State of the City address, the Mayor-City Council Task Force was created to help the City of Tulsa more effectively understand its future role in addressing housing, homelessness, and mental health needs in Tulsa. The Task Force will create a strategy for the City to best utilize its policy and legislative powers, public convening and education platforms, and financial resources to maximize its efficiency and effectiveness in contributing to broader community solutions. 

• August 9, 2023, Update
  • Immediate Action Steps
  • Read the News Release

Low Barrier Shelter 
The City is working to open a low barrier shelter in 2023. This will provide shelter facilities for those who - for any number of reasons - cannot utilize existing shelter facilities. If you represent an organization that has an interest in operating a low-barrier shelter please email housing@cityoftulsa.org.

Certified Emergency Shelters
The City of Tulsa is working with the Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency, A Way Home For Tulsa, and our faith community to certify religious facilities throughout Tulsa as emergency shelters when our notorious Oklahoma weather creates extreme heat or frigid cold. If you represent an organization that has an interest in providing indoor shelter or volunteer support during weather emergencies, we would love to hear from you on how you wish to join the cause. Take the Survey

Additional Resources

• Affordable Housing Trust Fund
• Tax Increment Finance Districts 
• Real Estate Recycling (Brownfields)
• HUD Resources
• Downtown Development Redevelopment Fund

Recent Announcements

Mayor Presents 3H Task Force Immediate Recommendations to City Council - August 9, 2023
Mayor G.T. Bynum presented the Tulsa City Council an update from the Housing, Homelessness, & Mental Health (3H) Task Force - an update that includes a set of immediate action steps as part of ongoing efforts to reduce homelessness and make Tulsa a safer city.  Read more...

City, PartnerTulsa Seeking Housing Proposals for Downtown Housing Projects -  April 4, 2023
PartnerTulsa and the City of Tulsa have released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking development proposals and requests for funding for housing projects to be funded through $8.1 million from the Downtown Development Redevelopment Fund (DDRF). Read more...

Housing Solutions Releases Citywide Housing Assessment
An independent study of Tulsa’s housing crisis revealed a $2.45 billion gap that requires an estimated $245 million per year for 10 years from private, public and philanthropic investments to close. Read more...

Mayor G.T. Bynum Gives State of the City Speech - November 15, 2022
During Mayor G.T. Bynum's 2022 State of the City Speech, a number of housing initiatives were announced, including the Tulsa Housing Challenge, which is an initiative seeking a total of $500 million so additional housing investments can be developed across the city. Read more

Travis Hulse Named City's New Housing Policy Director - April 27, 2022
Travis Hulse has accepted the City of Tulsa’s Housing Policy Director position – a role in the Mayor’s Office tasked with carrying out the City’s comprehensive Affordable Housing Strategy. Read more

Housing Types in Tulsa
Courtesy - Tulsa Planning Office