[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6657388,"mediaKeyId","5075364-b2c87aac091811026c565f732a241998","parentId",5075364,"title","Tulsa officials report a 4% rise in homelessness in 2025 Point‑in‑Time count; housing placements lag supply","audioSeconds",1053,"startMs",1682000,"endMs",2735000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075364-b2c87aac091811026c565f732a241998&start=1682&end=2735","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075364-b2c87aac091811026c565f732a241998/thumbnail_1682000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657388/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Tulsa-officials-report-a-4-rise-in-homelessness-in-2025-PointinTime-count-housing-placements-lag-supply","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657388-4ace179d2bc6753412eb1173c4513296/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183044&Signature=AS2UPTDuBwwr9fnZz5abr0nheLmmyIFCOtaFTLzK8z51LU-wS2OITeEvIVAvdoy5FLrxKnqm68z30ljStf-MpKCh55jvwdv03NRYhPI9yDsCaipszYcCVZXX4Nfq8Hs3hwMYoCMT31skQltGigOujAEtJnVt0pd5ZKWBY0O-ys-oyFFEeuVUyeGlF6cMWkobSUkIq7FwyXp-UgmtV16lt3-kS-XGdzVpXlmerzODMLl1B4SBCDn~mm8U8MQETaC0WPmMNn6jVb7rRLUbLw88rESU1~6X661vgndY89vyLdEJ9uKMy3o3nEwfyUpNPMsoDChQ7O9xBjh1wP5jQbQClQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tulsa","date","2025-06-25T14:30:00Z","article","City of Tulsa staff and homelessness service partners told the Public Works Committee the 2025 Point‑in‑Time (PIT) count identified 1,449 people experiencing homelessness on the night of Jan. 23, 2025 — a 4% increase from the same count in 2024 — and outlined challenges in rehousing capacity and affordability.

Emily (Housing Solutions staff) explained the PIT count process, which HUD requires for communities that receive federal homeless‑assistance funding: it counts people who were in emergency shelter beds, transitional housing, safe‑haven programs and those found during street canvasses. “We identified 1,449 individuals, who were experiencing homelessness on the midnight of January 23,” Emily said, and clarified that the count does not include people doubled up in hotels or couch surfing because HUD’s methodology excludes those situations.

Presentation slides and staff commentary showed the nightly tally included 812 people in emergency shelters (including 151 cold‑weather overflow beds used that night), 496 in places not meant for human habitation (encampments, vehicles, outdoors), 133 in transitional housing and eight in safe‑haven programs. Housing providers reported that during a cold week in February — when extra overflow space was opened — 1,450 unique individuals used shelter services, illustrating that when capacity expands people use it.

Officials emphasized an inflow–outflow problem: placements into housing in 2024 totaled approximately 778 people, down from prior years when roughly 1,000–1,100 people were rehoused annually. The city’s five‑year strategic target is to rehouse 5,000 individuals; Housing Solutions staff noted the system rehoused about 4,200 people over the previous five years and must scale up to meet demand.

Speakers and councilors discussed drivers of homelessness. Staff noted effective market rents across the Tulsa market rose about 40% from 2018 to 2025; the current effective market rent cited was about $1,040, compared with roughly $700 in earlier years. Housing staff said increased rents, the end of COVID‑era rental assistance and limited supply of deeply affordable and permanent supportive housing are major contributors. “There’s a real close correlation between our ability to help people reenter housing and the number of people who are on streets or shelter,” Emily said.

Subpopulation trends highlighted by presenters included a 19% increase in people classified as chronically homeless (people with a year or longer of homelessness and a disabling condition), an 18% increase in youth (linked to an expansion of youth‑specific programs and outreach), and a 6% rise in veterans (noted to be a small absolute change). Presenters stressed data nuance: the rise in counted youth reflected expanded youth services that allowed more young people to be found and served rather than evidence of a sudden surge in youth homelessness alone.

Councilors pressed staff on documentation and implementation: Councilor Dr. Wright asked for clearer one‑page settlement‑style summaries when litigation appears on agendas (in a separate agenda item), and in the PIT discussion asked about geographic spread and encampment counting methods. Staff said canvasses covered the county and extended service area; most surveys were conducted during the day and recorded where people were encountered, which may differ from the exact sleeping location.

On service needs, staff reported the most‑requested assistance was help obtaining housing, followed by food and clothing services; roughly 75% of people counted reported living in Tulsa prior to becoming homeless, and 82% were living in Oklahoma. The presenters recommended continued investment in permanent supportive housing, rental assistance, case management and ID‑assistance services; Councilor Bangor and others raised operational barriers such as fees and delays for birth certificates and Social Security documentation that impede rapid enrollment in housing programs.

Housing Solutions staff said short‑term funding (for example, ARPA allocations) can be used effectively as a bridge if coordinated with longer‑term supports and housing authority vouchers, but cautioned the system needs sustained resources to avoid reentry into homelessness after temporary aid expires.

No committee action was taken; the item was listed as discussion and update only.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tulsa - Council Public Works Committee - Jun 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City and partner officials presented the 2025 Point‑in‑Time count to the Public Works Committee: 1,449 people were counted on the night of Jan. 23, 2025 (a 4% increase over 2024), with service providers and councilors pointing to diminished rehousing capacity, rising rents and shelter‑bed variability as drivers.","taxTitle","Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma","taxId",2682,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657392,"Public Works Committee reviews three proposed sinking‑fund payouts totaling $1.105 million; no council vote recorded",989,540000,1529000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075364-b2c87aac091811026c565f732a241998&start=540&end=1529","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075364-b2c87aac091811026c565f732a241998/thumbnail_540000.jpg","/articles/6657392/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Public-Works-Committee-reviews-three-proposed-sinkingfund-payouts-totaling-1105-million-no-council-vote-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657392-ff7260d802095de74436310f5d9cc7d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183044&Signature=JJt6xszlW13fGt9f4VMf74E-7Tcv3T37~godxfISzH1D4YKybX1A7~mlqIRmIWBYfv-FRCYiIM5LptXTe2As9BfQ8PJkAmVu90M4i3BUHZExcu1rY7RNDYRIo31C9~VqkAI2iNw~uyxOh-sanW6mBH7otE6iUcrj5NAa-IasHGk~hI4AWjI11YQk1c5h8zQ30-JUesN311M~z6GhJab-nMYmQhwXDMC3-efA8SVEgzql0Lg5zrZfotunZ-n7pjWR~BJ3s3s44WNvPLDJXp4xNqpI-hILiEUx4v1CNFZrmOpD2qRd7Iw7tg6NRU8K1uMVIG0GHQNdff8LCAYeuIFxQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Tulsa Public Works Committee on Wednesday reviewed three resolutions authorizing payments from the city’s sinking fund to satisfy judgments or settlements in pending and concluded lawsuits totaling $1,105,000, but the committee did not record formal votes on any of the resolutions during the meeting.

Chad Becker of the city treasury told the committee there is sufficient cash balance in the sinking fund to cover the amounts and outlined the process by which finance will issue payment and levy repayments over a three‑year period if council approves. “Judgment has been approved by the court and the mayor,” Becker said about one case, and finance staff confirmed balances available in the sinking fund.

The three items presented were:
- A proposed resolution to pay $30,000 to Oklahoma Watch and Whitney Bridal and their counsel Doerner, Saunders, Daniel & Anderson, LLP, in case CV‑2022‑2584 (an open‑records dispute). Assistant City Attorney Hayes Martin said the dispute covered multiple records claims, including police reports and 911 audio; plaintiffs received one of the three contested records as a result of the proceedings, and the parties negotiated a settlement totaling $30,000 to cover attorney fees.
- A proposed resolution to pay $375,000 to Michael Delaney and counsel Smolin & Reiten (case 21‑C‑V‑544). Lawson Vaughn of the litigation division summarized that the claim arose from an officer‑involved shooting on March 20, 2020: Delaney was shot in the left shoulder while fleeing a scene, a force review board found the shooting outside policy, and the officer was later terminated and indicted by a grand jury on reckless use of a firearm. Vaughn said motions for summary judgment were overruled and the city attended mediation and negotiated the settlement.
- A proposed resolution to pay $700,000 to Sheila Buck and counsel Smolin & Breitman in case 21‑C‑V‑295. Michelle McGrew in City Legal said Buck was arrested June 20, 2020, at a political rally and alleged a violation of her First Amendment rights for wearing a shirt; the mayor authorized settlement negotiations and the two sides agreed to a $700,000 settlement to limit the risk of a larger attorney‑fee award.

Committee members asked for easier public access to court backup documents and for a succinct internal settlement summary on future agendas. Councilor Dr. Wright asked whether backup OSCN or PACER PDFs could be attached to agenda materials; legal staff and other members explained that court dockets can be lengthy and suggested providing a one‑page settlement summary that includes key facts, dates and the final dollar figure for council consideration. Councilor Dr. Wright also asked whether the officer in the Delaney case remained with the police department; Vaughn said the officer was terminated. Councilors discussed the possibility of an executive session if legal details required privileged discussion.

No recorded committee votes appear in the transcript. Committee members were advised that formal authorization is the City Council’s decision; the committee discussion focused on funding availability, case facts, and requests for clearer backup summaries for future agenda items.","Committee members heard presentations on three proposed payments from the sinking fund — $30,000 for Oklahoma Watch open‑records settlement, $375,000 for a 2020 officer‑involved shooting claim, and $700,000 for a First Amendment arrest settlement — and asked for more documentation; no formal committee votes were recorded.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657396,"Tulsa council committee introduces architect Nestor Castaneda for Arts Commission appointment",263,270000,533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5075364-b2c87aac091811026c565f732a241998&start=270&end=533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5075364-b2c87aac091811026c565f732a241998/thumbnail_270000.jpg","/articles/6657396/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Tulsa-council-committee-introduces-architect-Nestor-Castaneda-for-Arts-Commission-appointment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657396-11d4a05a831d77f65f9111fb5ab0ed2c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771183044&Signature=QOMj~4Fz~zqVS4TulNyFtEFFTnFXcty0MpzE3C0EPiSdwv0eUSAXmbsdIMVzEmpGhuTxckgQDOBypDK9qVk5uMtoZ-76BV7QA2kahfqbsI55eujrsPXJR5b0MtPbzU4FJ1C2h59en1vtJ99dg4TDczYZIB8Wq~6GnHwjmAtPGKnagzR6kFlmo8ILSVkawUILthhvudhfqTynkvpznUAkGMSPCuu1Rm-1FMXmcZNkRirhg8r~imISNSkpLtNfOQBbF1LtLayDXh7v03K6fORhFb6wi~a8OeaTAvK3efP-Fs1ECv5QFdSo76Nv7ngwumLN3VuduMszeX~CwELqV3HIDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nestor Castaneda, an architect who grew up in the east Tulsa area and trained at Oklahoma State University, appeared before the City of Tulsa Public Works Committee on the nomination to the Arts Commission. Committee Chair Councilor Dutton called the meeting to order and introduced Castaneda, noting the appointment would replace Scott Polins and that the term expires Dec. 1, 2026.

Castaneda told the committee he was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, moved to Tulsa at age 10, attended Union High School and Oklahoma State University, and has worked for the same local architecture firm for nine years. “I was born in Mexico and raised till I was 10 in Mexico, and then I was Tulsa,” Castaneda said. He described projects in the area including work on a veterans hospital, two schools, and recent construction at the Tulsa Expo where he designed the stage.

The committee members welcomed Castaneda and asked about his motivations for serving. Councilor Archie asked what motivated him to apply; Castaneda said a friend told him the commission sought different perspectives and that he hoped to contribute his cultural and lived experience as an architect. Councilor Gilbert thanked him for his willingness to serve and said the nomination supports raising service standards in District 5.

No formal vote was taken by the committee on the appointment. Councilor Dutton told Castaneda the nomination will come before the full City Council at its July 16 meeting at 5:00 p.m., and invited him to attend that session.

Castaneda left the committee with the formal nomination pending council consideration. If approved at the council meeting, the appointment would fill the District 5 seat on the Arts Commission through Dec. 1, 2026.","The Public Works Committee heard from architect Nestor Castaneda, nominated to the City of Tulsa Arts Commission to fill a seat for Council District 5; the committee noted the nomination will be considered by full council on July 16.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tulsa officials report a 4% rise in homelessness in 2025 Point‑in‑Time count; housing placements lag supply

Public Works Committee reviews three proposed sinking‑fund payouts totaling $1.105 million; no council vote recorded

Tulsa council committee introduces architect Nestor Castaneda for Arts Commission appointment