Three neighbors have already moved into City Lights Village, the new 75-home community tucked off 46th Street North between Peoria and Lewis avenues in Tulsa, with more arrivals expected in the weeks ahead. The 23-acre site held its grand opening Friday afternoon, marking the culmination of years of fundraising and construction aimed at giving Tulsans leaving chronic homelessness a permanent place to call their own.
According to Tulsa World, the fully furnished cottage homes measure about 400 square feet each and rent for $400 a month. The land itself was donated in 2021 by Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, according to the same report, while City Lights Foundation — a nonprofit with roots tracing to 2013 and formally established in 2015 — reached its $26.1 million capital campaign goal about a month before the opening. Tulsa World reports that campaign funds went toward construction costs, an endowment fund and ongoing operating expenses.
As KTUL reported, City Lights has now raised more than $26 million altogether to build the community, which spans the full 23 acres and includes the 75 homes alongside a shared community center. Sarah Grounds, City Lights Foundation’s executive director and co-founder, told the station the project finally brings every piece of support under one roof. “We’ve really combined all of those pieces right here at City Lights Village,” Grounds said, per KTUL’s reporting.
A Waiting List 1,400 Names Long
Not everyone who wants in can get in right away. Per Tulsa World, City Lights Village already has a waiting list of about 1,400 people, and the community prioritizes those who have experienced chronic homelessness for more than a year and have a disability. Residents who do move in, the outlet notes, may stay for as long as they want…