In 2022, more than 5,000 Tulsans occupied emergency shelters, safe havens, transitional housing, and street outreach programs. During that time, nearly two-thirds of them were experiencing homelessness for the first time. Since 2021, homelessness has grown by 8.6%, outpacing our overall population growth. Almost 1,000 Tulsa Public School students qualify as homeless, 3,000 students have had their families evicted over the last three and a half years, and 70% of Tulsans view homeless encampments as a threat to public safety. This issue impacts every aspect of life in our community and various City departments are already playing a vital role in combatting this issue in Tulsa. But we must do more if we want to realize the changes we want to see.
My team is taking many steps to help us address these challenges, with Emily Hall leading as the Senior Advisor of Homelessness. On March 11, 2025, I signed an Executive Order that outlines four initial steps to help us reach the goals we have established. The Executive Order creates an Encampment Decommissioning Team, a plan for a long-term winter weather shelter, a plan for increased shelter capacity, and a Mayor's Coalition on Eviction Mitigation. You can read the full Executive Order to learn more about how each of these components will move us on a path towards functional zero homelessness by 2030.
.png)
Facebook
Twitter
Mail