Tulsa is currently experiencing a significant governmental response to the city’s homelessness situation, rolling out numerous initiatives and funding commitments aimed at reducing and managing the issue. According to a press release from the City of Tulsa, the municipal government has been enacting a multipart strategy, including the Safe Move Tulsa initiative and the Path to Home Strategy, to directly tackle homelessness.
Recent cleanups of homeless encampments on State property are just one component of a multilayered approach to this social challenge. The City emphasizes that while clearing these sites is necessary, it forms part of a broad-based strategy that involves providing housing assistance, mental health services, and ensuring personal property is dealt with respectfully. The ‘Safe Move Tulsa’ initiative, accompanied by a comprehensive rehousing plan to assist individuals for up to a year, is a testament to the city’s efforts. More than $15 million from one-time grants and other funding mechanisms are allocated to these and related initiatives over the next two years, “We are committed to finding real solutions to the problems we have in front of us, and I’m confident in our ability to carry out our plans,” said Mayor Nichols in a statement obtained by the City of Tulsa.
Efforts to-date have included the establishment of transportation services to move homeless individuals to BeHeard, with over 1,200 rides provided since June 26. Additionally, Mayor Nichols signed an executive order in March designating homelessness as a top priority for the city. The City has also amplified its staffing efforts to focus on homelessness, hiring a Homelessness Program Lead and Senior Advisor of Homelessness to coordinate response and support services…