CITY OF TULSA HOMELESS RESPONSE
RESPUESTA A LAS PERSONAS SIN HOGAR DE LA CIUDAD
TULSA, OK -- Over the past week, outreach teams have been working diligently to make contact with those experiencing homelessness so individuals can have a warm place to stay. The city’s overflow shelter has also doubled our capacity for the weather event.
On Feb. 13, the city was able to access an encampment in south Tulsa utilizing a drone to help reach individuals. Due to these efforts, a dozen additional people were able to secure a safe and warm shelter. Outreach teams have now responded to every known encampment within the city and is able to provide shelter to every single person seeking warm shelter. Outreach teams were able to secure shelter for every person at an encampment located on West. Brady St. under the I244 bridge as well.
Some residents have tried to purchase fire pits and firewood and are unloading these items at encampments discouraging those experiencing homelessness to seek shelter. These efforts are also causing fire dangers. City officials are asking residents to allow the outreach teams to do their job so everyone can stay safe and seek shelter during this extreme weather as hypothermia and frostbite can occur in as little as 30 minutes. Homelessness Response TAEMA remains in constant contact with area homeless shelters. All shelters report they have beds currently available. There are multiple outreach teams working to communicate the threat of upcoming weather to the encampments in Tulsa, and are attempting to convince as many of the unhoused population to seek shelter leading into the weekend as possible. TAEMA is working to provide material assistance to shelter operations to ensure they have the ability to continue to serve the community.
Housing Solutions, the City of Tulsa and community partners are working to get those experiencing homelessness inside during this cold snap.
The city is urging those who are outside to come inside without fear of losing their things – this has been a main concern among many who continue to choose to stay outside. The city and its community partners are not cleaning up homeless encampments or taking people’s possessions if they are left outside at this time.
Teams across the city are continuing to frequent known encampments and encourage people to come inside. If you see someone who you think needs assistance in the cold, please fill out this form so outreach personnel can make contact.
There are multiple shelters available to those experiencing homelessness. Housing Solutions is working to get anyone who needs shelter to get into a local shelter at this time.
Right now, Tulsa shelters in operation include:
The City’s Overflow Shelter at the former Juvenile Justice Detention Center
Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless, 415 W. Archer St.
John 3:16 Mission, 506 N. Cheyenne Ave.
Salvation Army, 102 N. Denver Ave.