The plan to end homelessness in Tulsa

New research proves that a different approach not only treats the symptoms of the problem more effectively, but may be the answer to ending chronic homelessness as we know it.

Safe housing + wrap around services = Breaking the cycle of homelessness

“Best Practice” solution proven nationwide and in Tulsa.

Housing is considered one of the three basic human needs. Until a person or family has safe and affordable housing, no amount of assistance or encouragement can succeed in getting them back to self-sufficiency and independence.

That is the thinking behind the “Housing First” approach. The premise of this alternative methodology is that vulnerable and at-risk homeless individuals and families are more responsive to interventions and social support services after they are in their own housing, rather than while homeless and living on the street or in a shelter.

“Housing First” calls for:

Stabilizing people
Move people from streets and shelters into safe, decent, affordable housing. Once in permanent housing, these individuals and families can begin to regain the self-confidence and control over their lives that were lost when they became homeless.

Adding wrap-around social services
Once people feel safe and secure, the community can begin to help them transition back to stability. This continuum of care includes assistance with:


Increasing availability of affordable housing
Nearly 1 in 4 Tulsans are at risk of becoming homeless because they cannot afford market rate housing. By making more affordable housing units available, the city can lower the number of “at risk” persons, which ultimately helps to keep the number of homeless people from increasing.

Proven in Tulsa
For more than 10 years, “Housing First” has proven to be a practical means of ending and preventing homelessness in communities around the country and locally.

In Tulsa, the Mental Health Association in Tulsa operates successful model housing programs using the “Housing First” approach. These programs help people achieve increasing levels of self-sufficiency. The Association has helped people who have mental illness to move through the housing continuum by presenting options that range from permanent supportive housing to independent living – with a success rate of 79%.

A recent Toronto study shows that “Housing First” results in:


“Housing First” is a cost-effective model that makes the efficient use of existing systems and services, and eliminates the need to create new ones.

The return of individuals and families to independent living is empowering. The combination of safe, affordable housing and home-based services makes it possible for people who are homeless to finally break the cycle of homelessness.