Initiative to Help Improve Homelessness Outcomes in Tulsa
This evening, the Tulsa City Council passed a budget amendment to begin the deployment of the Safe Move Tulsa Rehousing Plan– a citywide initiative to ensure 300 people are rehoused in the next nine months as part of the goal to reach functional zero homelessness in Tulsa by 2030.
The approved budget amendment helps unlock nearly $4,367,700 from the Walmart Opioid Settlement SubFund and Pandemic Relief Recovery Fund. These monies will be accompanied by additional ARPA dollars totaling a $6 million investment in the Safe Move Tulsa Rehousing Plan.
In the next nine months, the Safe Move Tulsa Rehousing Plan will ensure ~300 individuals will receive an individualized plan that provides support services for up to one year, which could include health care services, mental health assistance, addiction services, financial literacy services, rental assistance, and other wrap around supports.
"More than 1,400 Tulsans are experiencing homelessness right now and many of them simply need a hand up," Mayor Nichols said. “Safe Move will offer them that assistance while ensuring they get immediate support to ensure long-term success. I want to thank my colleagues on the Council and partners in the community for recognizing the urgency of the issue and working with us to end homelessness as we know it in Tulsa.”
Tulsa leaders continue to prioritize homelessness as identified by the Mayor/Council goals, 3H Taskforce and Path to Home Strategy, and Mayor Nichols' priorities.
"This budget amendment will quickly house ~300 homeless households, many of whom have spent extended periods of time in shelters, which is flawed and expensive," Council Chair Phil Lakin, Jr. said. "Moving them into apartments is more ideal and will free up shelter space, so others don’t have to live on the streets."
“Over a thousand Tulsans are homeless, many needing mental health and addiction services,” Councilor Lakin added. “Resources and housing units are available now. For our collective community’s benefit, which has endured so very much, we must take this next step along the housing pathway by moving people from permanently closed encampments into shelters, and then from shelters into temporary and/or long-term housing."
According to the latest Point in Time (PIT) Count, on any given day in the city of Tulsa, 1,449 individuals identify as homeless, meaning individuals are living on the street or staying in the shelter.
Other staggering statistics include:
Based on this data, the Safe Move Tulsa Rehousing Plan will ensure shelter beds can open for those identifying as chronically homeless and in need of supportive services. As part of the Rehousing Plan, Housing Solutions Tulsa, the City's lead partner agency for homelessness, and other A Way Home for Tulsa partners will be working to house individuals at identified locations and provide individualized support services within 12 months. Based on funding availability, the City will begin to work on the formalized process for this work.
In addition to rehousing is the need for a coordinated decommissioning plan. The City of Tulsa's decommissioning of homeless encampments has been on hold as temporary housing (as it stands today) is not available and shelters are at capacity. Full decommissioning cannot occur when individuals have no options for a path to permanent housing. With the Safe Move Tulsa Rehousing Plan, individuals needing permanent housing who are currently sleeping in shelter beds - in addition to unsheltered individuals - can be moved to permanent housing, freeing shelter beds for those who are unhoused. A formal decommissioning plan is expected to be announced soon and was a Path to Home recommendation.
Additional Homelessness Initiatives
The City of Tulsa has been working to identify a location for a true low barrier shelter, as well as a winter inclement weather shelter.
Additional work is underway to increase housing stock. The City has been working to advance affordable housing, including work to secure an administrator for the $75 million from Improve Our Tulsa 3 for housing projects. Work is also underway to roll out a fast-track permitting program, a Community Builder Pilot Program, and a Pre-Approved Plans Program (T-Town Home Catalog).
More Information
Find more information about Safe Move Tulsa, including a comprehensive list of FAQs.
Find more information about the Mayor's goals and actions on housing and homelessness.
Find more information on the 3H Task Force and its Path to Home Recommendations.
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