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Tulsa’s ‘Better Way’ program credits work crews and case management with housing and job placements
Summary
City-funded program places people who panhandle into daily work crews, pairs them with case managers and employment specialists, and reports more than 3,000 people helped since inception; participants described jobs and housing outcomes during the program overview.
Better Way, a city-funded alternative to panhandling in Tulsa, offers daily work crews for people experiencing homelessness and pairs participants with case managers and employment specialists, city materials said. The program aims to connect participants to jobs, housing, mental health and substance-abuse services.
A program participant described the experience: "They had the little van going around. They helped us pick up trash, and they said they'd connect you with a job. And so I signed up for that, and they did connect me with a job... I've been working there for a little over six months now." The transcript identified that participant as a member of the program but did not provide a full name.
City communications credited Better Way with helping more than 3,000 people and with placing "dozens of people off the street and in housing" and hundreds into jobs and to mental-health assistance. The transcript also said Mayor Bynum and the city council brought the program to Tulsa in partnership with Mental Health Association Oklahoma, and that it was the first program of its kind in the state.
A city presentation emphasized the program combines a day’s wages for work with case management during lunch breaks to build longer-term employment and housing stability. The materials did not include program budget figures or a present council vote in the provided transcript.
