New program provides work and resources for homeless
OKC partners with A Better Way for outreach
A new program meant to provide opportunity for those contending with homelessness will launch in Oklahoma City next week in a clear departure from a previous effort to respond to the city’s panhandlers.
A Better Way, in partnership with Oklahoma City and several of the state’s non-profit organizations, will start canvassing the metro area in search of willing panhandlers interested in a day of work.
The program pays $65 per day for work on beautification projects in public spaces, provides access to services helping with housing, mental health and substance abuse, and also serves lunch and a snack.
“We have to remind ourselves every single day these are human beings; they are not enjoying this path,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt.
City, nonprofits provide funding for program
United Way of Oklahoma provided $120,000 to initiate the program, while the city put up $150,000 in addition to overseeing the program and providing a van for picking up workers.
Cities nationally have partnered with A Better Way. The organization was first introduced to Oklahoma back in 2017 with a program still operating in Tulsa.
“The goal of the program is to help individuals gain competitive employment and move to self sufficiency,” said Terri White, CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma.
In 2020, the annual Oklahoma City “point in time count,” which evaluates the number of homeless people over a day, recorded 1,573 countable people according to statistics from The Homeless Alliance.
Additionally, 10,171 people in Oklahoma City used services that report statistics back to the Homeless Management Information System last year.
Ordinance to bar begging at stoplights
In 2015, the Oklahoma City Council worked to end panhandling with an ordinance intended to force panhandlers from traffic medians at busy intersections.
The ordinance was ruled unconstitutional in 2020 by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver and the city was ordered last month to pay nearly $1 million in legal fees to the public interest attorneys who successfully argued against the rule.
“Well, despite the many suggestions we receive at City Hall, you cannot forcibly lock up people experiencing homelessness, you cannot ship them away. And you can’t even make them do any sort of program,” said Holt. “You have to meet them where they are.”
While not all people experiencing homelessness will be able or interested in the new work program, the intention is to provide different avenues of relief for the many different paths that lead to homelessness.
Inasmuch Foundation, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, United Way of Central Oklahoma and Mental Health Association Oklahoma are all currently providing resources to the program. Those interested in donating and businesses interested in providing job opportunities are encouraged to reach out.
The van will start making its rounds from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, operating on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
“It takes everyone’s commitment to create lasting change for those who are struggling,” said Ward 7 Councilwoman Nikki Nice. “And this is our opportunity to offer a different kind of change, the kind that pays people for a day’s work unifying our city.”