Homelessness

The Community Response Team: An Innovative Way to Address Homelessness in Oklahoma City 

Leave a Comment / Homelessness, Street Medicine /

In the spring of 2023, a new initiative emerged in Oklahoma City, born out of the need to support those experiencing homelessness while also easing the strain on emergency services: the Community Response Team (CRT). This partnership between the City of OKC and Mental Health Association Oklahoma is making a real impact by providing direct […]

The Community Response Team: An Innovative Way to Address Homelessness in Oklahoma City  Read More »

Tulsa’s Bold Plan to End Homelessness by 2030 

Leave a Comment / Homelessness, Media Coverage /

In November, Tulsa made history by electing its first Black mayor, Monroe Nichols. Since taking office, he’s been working tirelessly to lay the foundation for his five major priorities aimed at advancing the city. Among them, tackling homelessness stands out as an urgent and ambitious goal – and a goal that directly aligns with MHAOK’s

Tulsa’s Bold Plan to End Homelessness by 2030  Read More »

MHAOK was the lead agency at the Tulsa Dream Center pop-up shelter during last week’s storm

Leave a Comment / Drop-In Centers, Homelessness /

Last week, a severe winter storm hit Oklahoma, bringing record-breaking temperatures and snow. In response, Denver House, Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s (MHAOK) peer-run drop-in center located near Downtown Tulsa, closed for the week so staff could volunteer at the Tulsa Dream Center’s west campus pop-up shelter, aimed at assisting those experiencing homelessness. MHAOK served as

MHAOK was the lead agency at the Tulsa Dream Center pop-up shelter during last week’s storm Read More »

MHAOK’s 2024 permanent supportive housing stability rate topped 90%. Here is why this matters:

Leave a Comment / Homelessness, Housing /

Nonprofits that focus on permanent supportive housing (PSH) programs play a pivotal role in addressing homelessness and housing instability, especially in states like Oklahoma, where affordable housing is in short supply, and eviction rates are alarmingly high. As an indicator of success, housing stability rate is a critical element of PSH programs. It tells us

MHAOK’s 2024 permanent supportive housing stability rate topped 90%. Here is why this matters: Read More »

MHAOK and other Key to Home partner agencies conduct OKC’s annual Point-In-Time Count

Leave a Comment / Advocacy, Homelessness, Point in Time Count /

For most of today, partner agencies across Oklahoma City, including Mental Health Association Oklahoma, are putting their boots on the ground to conduct its annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count, an essential initiative aimed at providing a snapshot of homelessness in the community. At 3:00 a.m. well over 100 hyper-caffeinated volunteers bundled up to kick off the

MHAOK and other Key to Home partner agencies conduct OKC’s annual Point-In-Time Count Read More »

The Importance of Shelters and Outreach Teams in Oklahoma

Leave a Comment / Advocacy, Drop-In Centers, Homelessness, Street Medicine, Street Outreach /

Homelessness: By the Numbers  One week from today, partner agency staff across Oklahoma City – including MHAOK – will gather at 3:30 a.m., divide into groups of six and head out into hidden corners of the city to count as many people experiencing homelessness as we can find. The same count will take place in

The Importance of Shelters and Outreach Teams in Oklahoma Read More »

Addressing Homelessness During Arctic Blasts: The Critical Role of Collaboration in Continuums of Care 

Leave a Comment / Homelessness /

As winter temperatures plummet and Arctic blasts sweep across the nation, individuals experiencing homelessness face life-threatening conditions. In these extreme weather events, access to shelter, warmth, and supportive services becomes a matter of life and death. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the Mental Health Association Oklahoma (MHAOK) Recovery Services team (operating out of our peer-run drop-in center,

Addressing Homelessness During Arctic Blasts: The Critical Role of Collaboration in Continuums of Care  Read More »

OKC Street Medicine nurse provides assistance to woman experiencing homelessness.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the latest Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress

Leave a Comment / Homelessness, Resources /

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the latest Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, and the results for Oklahoma, as well as the rest of the country, were – are – alarming. AHAR shows a 17% spike in homelessness from 2023 to 2024, meaning more than 5,400 Oklahomans

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released the latest Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress Read More »

Lottie House hosts a ribbon cutting in honor of Dick & Glenna Tanenbaum’s drop-in center expansion donation

Leave a Comment / Donations, Events, Homelessness /

In a heartwarming display of generosity and community spirit, local philanthropist Dick Tanenbaum and his wife, Glenna, made a significant contribution that will have a lasting impact on the lives of our city’s homeless population. Dick’s donation has funded the expansion of the patio at Lottie House, our peer-run drop-in center in Oklahoma City, transforming

Lottie House hosts a ribbon cutting in honor of Dick & Glenna Tanenbaum’s drop-in center expansion donation Read More »

Street Medicine provides a critical service to those experiencing homelessness

Leave a Comment / Homelessness, Media Coverage, Street Medicine /

We met Shay Swindall in early spring, tucked away in an encampment. She was among several Oklahomans experiencing homelessness who were provided care by our Street Medicine team that chilly April morning, and she, like the others, was relieved to have the help.   MHAOK operates the only two street medicine teams in the state,

Street Medicine provides a critical service to those experiencing homelessness Read More »