City Lights Foundation: Six-month update on housing support in Tulsa

The City Lights Foundation is marking a pivotal six months of work providing housing stability and community support for Tulsans facing homelessness. The nonprofit continues to expand services and prepare for its next major initiative: City Lights Village.

City Lights Village: A Permanent Solution

City Lights Village will be a 23-acre, master-planned community designed to provide safe, dignified housing for over 75 individuals coming out of chronic homelessness.

Sarah Grounds, Executive Director and Founder, says:

“What this will be is a community that really brings people into a safe place that’s dignified and surrounds them with all the support that they need to not just move out of homelessness, but to be successful in that.”

Grounds emphasizes that success is about more than housing:

“We know that it is not a house that fixes people. It’s community. And we’re really not about fixing people. We’re about walking alongside them.”

City Lights plans to release more information about applications for the Village in the coming month. For updates, visit the City Lights Village webpage.

Housing Stability Services: Numbers and Impact

The foundation’s Housing Stability team works across 39 apartment complexes in Tulsa, offering proactive case management to prevent crises. In the last six months alone:

1. 17 evictions prevented
2. 6 people moved into more stable and dignified homes
3. 99.8% of clients report feeling supported by a reliable community

Grounds notes the ongoing challenges for residents on Section 8 vouchers:

“We definitely have individuals in housing that we’ve helped get there that are on vouchers, and they’re very concerned about that. It is a huge concern for people across the spectrum.”

The foundation also addresses related insecurities, including food, transportation, and other basic needs, to help residents remain stable in housing.

Year-End 2024 Numbers

City Lights shared its full-year 2024 numbers to highlight the impact of its programs:

1. 72 previously homeless neighbors received specialized housing stability services
2. 47 evictions prevented through case management
3. 95% success rate in maintaining housing stabilization

Community Support and Volunteer Opportunities

City Lights emphasizes that its work is made possible through the generosity of donors and volunteers. Programs like Night Light Tulsa provide outreach every Thursday from 6:30–9:30 p.m. under the bridge at 202 N. Maybelle, Tulsa, OK. Volunteers and guests can also contribute through office-based programs and other outreach efforts.

“Tulsa is better when we work together. And so, we believe that this is a community issue that requires a community response,” Ground said.

For ways to get involved, volunteer, or donate, visit City Lights Foundation.