Tulsa committee reviews draft PY25 HUD consolidated plan; public hearing opens as residents urge more targeted North Tulsa investment

The Tulsa HUD Community Development Committee reviewed the draft Program Year 2025 consolidated plan and first-year annual action plan on March 13 and opened a public hearing on the plan and allocations. City staff told the committee the draft will be posted for public comment through April 2, that allocation recommendations are scheduled for City Council consideration on April 2, and that the consolidated plan is planned for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by May 15.

The consolidated planning process sets the city's priorities for HUD formula grant programs and informs funding from Community Planning and Development formula programs. City staff said consultants contracted for the plan completed an executive summary, needs assessment, market analysis, strategic plan and an updated Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice; the HUD CDC approved priority needs in September 2024 and staff released a request for proposals in October 2024. The draft plan lists priorities including affordable housing, homelessness services, neighborhood investments, assistance for people fleeing domestic violence, mental health treatment and job creation. Staff also said the draft allocates funds to projects recommended from competitive proposals and carryover funds, and that specific project allocations remain subject to change until final City Council approval.

City staff described the local process and timeline for PY25. Key dates and procedural points noted at the meeting: the HUD CDC approved the priority needs on Sept. 12, 2024; the PY25 request for proposals was released Oct. 4, 2024, with an application deadline of Nov. 22, 2024; applications were scored in December–January; recommendation meetings were held in February; 43 external applications were received overall, with 30 recommended for funding; 23 external agencies and two city departments were recommended to carry out 38 activities; the public comment period on the draft runs March 3'April 2; and staff intend to submit the consolidated plan to HUD by May 15, 2025. Staff cautioned that estimated allocations in the draft are contingent on the federal HUD appropriation and that allocations may change after HUD issues its final formula numbers.

During the public hearing, several residents and service providers spoke. Sharla Walker, family self-sufficiency coordinator for the Tulsa Housing Authority, urged the committee and the city to promote a long-running homeownership component of the Housing Authority's Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program. Walker said the FSS program helps Section 8 participants access job training, education and supports, and that escrow savings accumulated while participants increase income can be used toward homebuying. She described outreach steps she's taken and said the city currently holds 30 slots for the program but that only seven city slots were filled at the time of the meeting; she also said HUD allocates 250 total slots for the program nationally for the local program (as described at the meeting) and that the program has been underused locally.

"Housing is something that really is near and dear to my heart," Walker said. She told the committee she has been working to coordinate lenders and realtors to help participants complete vetting, credit counseling and homeownership counseling so they can use escrow savings to purchase homes.

Brent Isaacs of the Bridal Health Association Oklahoma (as identified at the meeting) thanked the committee for past HOME-funded housing rehabilitation and urged continued emphasis on extremely low-income households. He cited the National Low Income Housing Coalition's The Gap report to underscore the shortage of units affordable to households at 30% of area median income.

Several speakers raised concerns about how HUD funds have been distributed historically. James Alexander Jr. and Bernice Alexander, who identified themselves as long-time advocates for North Tulsa residents, said money set aside to serve North Tulsa has been spent across the city rather than concentrated in the neighborhood. Bernice Alexander said, "HUD money is not being used properly, and it's time to stop stealing from that community," and asked the committee to study the history and purpose of HUD funds for North Tulsa.

City staff responded to those concerns by pointing to HUD oversight and reporting. A city staff member said, "These plans are submitted to HUD and reviewed by HUD. And if we were doing something that wasn't correct, our plans wouldn't be approved." Staff added that the city's consolidated plan and annual reports are posted online with maps showing where activities are funded, and that demolition activities do not count toward the Low- and Moderate-Income (LMI) benefit percentage used in CDBG calculations.

Committee members and staff also discussed federal timing and funding uncertainty. Staff said the draft allocations are estimates based on prior-year HUD formula amounts and warned that final allocations could shift depending on the federal appropriations process; the consolidated plan submission deadline is May 15, but staff noted HUD may grant extra time if federal allocations are delayed.

Votes at a glance: the committee approved minutes from the Feb. 6, 2025 meeting and voted to open and later close the public hearing on the PY25 annual action plan (all procedural motions passed). The committee adjourned after the hearing.

Next steps identified at the meeting: the draft plan will be available for public comment through April 2; allocation recommendations will be considered by the City Council at its April 2 meeting; staff expect to finalize and submit the consolidated plan and PY25 annual action plan to HUD by May 15, subject to HUD's final allocation numbers.