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In Tulsa, housing is more than just a roof over our heads—it’s the foundation for health, stability, and opportunity. Unfortunately, many of our neighbors are struggling with rising housing costs, limited mental health services, and an insufficient number of affordable homes. The most vulnerable members of our community often bear the brunt of these challenges, but there is hope. By shifting resources toward policies that keep housing affordable, partnering with healthcare providers, and investing in more affordable housing options, we can provide lifelines to those who need them most.
The recent Tulsa Housing Study identifies a significant need for action. Over the next decade, Tulsa will require nearly 13,000 new housing units, with an immediate need for 4,000 units. Current housing production is not keeping up, particularly for low- and moderate-income households. The Tulsa Housing Strategy outlines critical steps to close this gap, including increasing housing development by 50%, leveraging underutilized spaces such as older commercial areas, and securing $37 million annually to fund affordable housing projects.
These efforts aren’t just about meeting a housing shortage—they’re about ensuring that everyone has access to safe, stable housing. When housing becomes unaffordable, it impacts health, educational outcomes, and job security. Solving this crisis will help stabilize individuals and families, improving their overall quality of life and benefiting our community as a whole.
Safe and stable housing is a foundation for good health. The Tulsa County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), developed with input from public health experts and community leaders, emphasizes housing as a key social determinant of health. People who live in affordable, stable housing experience lower levels of stress and are better able to manage chronic illnesses and mental health challenges. Yet, without sufficient mental health services, many individuals are caught in a cycle where housing instability worsens mental health, and untreated mental health issues make it harder to maintain stable housing.
The CHIP highlights that improving access to both housing and mental health services is essential to creating a healthier Tulsa. By addressing these two issues together, we can reduce the negative impacts of housing instability on mental health and improve overall well-being for vulnerable populations.
The A Way Home for Tulsa (AWH4T) Strategic Plan a focuses on preventing homelessness before it begins and increasing access to affordable housing for those most at risk. The plan emphasizes collaboration across sectors—housing, health, and social services—to provide comprehensive support. AWH4T advocates for policies that prioritize affordable housing and mental health care, working to ensure that homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
AWH4T also stresses the importance of addressing homelessness through a person-centered approach, focusing not only on housing but also on the mental health and support services people need to regain stability. This aligns directly with the CHIP’s vision of integrating housing and health solutions to create a more resilient and healthier community.
To make meaningful progress, Tulsa must re-prioritize resources. The Tulsa Housing Strategy and the CHIP both call for increased funding for affordable housing and mental health services. Recent efforts, such as the Improve Our Tulsa sales tax package, have committed millions of dollars to support housing, but this is just the beginning. The Housing Strategy identifies a funding gap of $37 million per year, which is necessary to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income households and address homelessness.
By focusing on keeping housing affordable and accessible, integrating mental health services, and prioritizing long-term housing solutions, we can create pathways to stability for individuals and families. These investments are not just acts of compassion—they are essential to building a stronger, healthier Tulsa.
The work of ensuring housing and mental health services for all requires broad collaboration. Both the Tulsa Housing Strategy and the CHIP emphasize the importance of cross-sector partnerships. The A Way Home for Tulsa initiative further highlights the need for coordinated efforts between government agencies, nonprofits, healthcare providers, and private developers to make sure that every Tulsan has a safe place to live and access to the care they need.
We are at a crucial moment where we can make lasting change. By shifting resources toward housing affordability and mental health services, we can provide the lifelines that the most vulnerable in our community desperately need. Together, we can ensure that Tulsa is a place where housing is not only accessible but a foundation for a healthy, thriving future.
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