"We made this a home": Federal cuts trigger housing crisis for Tulsa's Section 8 tenants

What’s Happening?

In recent months, landlords at apartment complexes across Tulsa — including Gable Hills — have begun issuing notices to tenants, informing them they must move out unless they can afford an increase in rent rates.

Many of these tenants are part of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, a federally funded rental assistance program managed locally by the Tulsa Housing Authority (THA).

But now, due to federal funding cuts, THA says it can no longer approve rent increases. That means when landlords raise the rent, the difference isn’t covered by the voucher — and tenants are left to pay the full increase on their own, or leave.

Rent Hikes are not regulated

In May 2025, the Tulsa Housing Authority notified Section 8 landlords that it could no longer accept requests for rent increases. The agency cited insufficient federal funding and predicted additional budget cuts ahead.

However, landlords are not required to keep rent prices the same. In the case of Gable Hills, property owners chose to increase rent — in some cases by $300–$400 per month — forcing tenants with housing vouchers to either pay the difference out of pocket or move out.

Who Is Affected?

This change is impacting thousands of Tulsa families, many of whom rely on Section 8 vouchers to make rent affordable.

At Gable Hills Apartments alone, dozens of families received 60-day eviction notices in late June.

Residents like Sylvia Aguilar, a single mother, say they are now scrambling to find new homes in a city where rent prices are outpacing the support available.

“Still to this day, I don't know exactly where we're going. I'm still trying to juggle all my options,” Sylvia said.

How Is Tulsa Housing Authority Responding?

In a statement sent to us, THA says:

Tulsa Housing Authority notified Section 8 landlords in May of this year that we can no longer fulfill rent increase requests. This is due to insufficient federal funding, with even more significant cuts predicted for all rental assistance programs. Denying rent increases will allow THA to manage under current funding while not requiring us to remove subsidy from existing tenants. It is at the discretion of the landlord to maintain current rent levels or, in the case of Gable Hills, to displace existing tenants in search of higher rent amounts. We are grateful for every single participant in the Section 8 program that houses Tulsa’s most vulnerable.

What Can Tenants Do?

Right now, options are limited. Tenants affected by this change are encouraged to:

1. Contact their THA caseworker immediately to update their housing search
2. Ask for a list of properties still accepting vouchers within budget
3. Reach out to local legal aid organizations for advice about fees or notices that may be in violation of state or federal law.
4. Document all communication with landlords, including notices, emails, and in-person conversations.

How You Can Help

As Sylvia Aguilar faces eviction, a sudden rent hike, and the emotional toll of relocating her young son, she’s reaching out for help — something she says has never come easy.

“I'm really bad about asking for help,” she said. “But right now, I don't feel like I have much choice. It’s just me and my boy.”

To cover moving costs, storage, and basic needs during this transition, Sylvia has launched a GoFundMe.

🔗 Click here to support Sylvia’s GoFundMe