Tulsa mayor unveils $6M plan to move 300 homeless residents into apartments: 'Not a cookie-cutter type of program'

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols presented a pilot program to the city council that would pay for housing for one year for 300 people who are currently homeless.

"It's really about meeting people's needs. So if you think about it, this is not a cookie-cutter type of a program," said Nichols.

Mayor Nichols says fixing the homeless problem in Tulsa is his top priority,

It's called "Safe Move Tulsa."

What is the plan?

The Safe Move Tulsa initiative would house about 150 people who currently live on the street and 150 people who live in homeless shelters.

The city would pay their rent for a year to live in apartments across Tulsa.

"Safe Move Tulsa consists of components, core competencies, that provide supportive housing that connects people to supportive services tailored to the individual or family needs," said Emily Hall, Tulsa Senior Advisor on homelessness

Hall says that includes, help finding a job, connecting people with addiction services, teaching them financial literacy, and more.

What is the goal?

"The goal is within a 12-month time they are able to maintain rent," said Hall.

The city says once someone starts to pay their rent on their own the housing will turn into their permanent home, and they will still have access to services.

How much does it cost?

The city says $6,000,000.

Where will the money come from?

The city already has $2 million set aside from COVID-19 relief federal dollars and the city council would have to approve to move $4 million from an opioid settlement over to the program.

When will city council vote?

In two weeks, on Wednesday, August 20.

If approved, when will this program start?

The mayor said that as soon as September, then the city will have nine months to find housing for 300 people in Tulsa.

Who will be chosen for the program first?

The city says people in shelters will start the program first to make more room for people who are out on the street.

Is there a possibility that the pilot program will continue?

Nichols says if the program is a success, the city could spend more money next year to get more homeless people free housing for a year. 

"Initially, success is how close we are to that 300 number in nine months of folks being housed, and then from there, are folks meeting the benchmarks over the course of that 12 months?" said Nichols.

How many homeless people are in Tulsa?

1,449 total

953 people are in shelters

496 are on the street