Homelessness

The Tulsa Day Center introduced the “Blue Team” three years ago.

An executive order from President Donald Trump is starting a conversation about expanding the role civil commitment plays at the intersection of mental health and homelessness.

The city of Tulsa is highlights its efforts at clearing out a homeless camp by getting people into housing.

Representatives from organizations that help the homeless gathered at Tulsa Day Center Wednesday to blast Gov. Stitt’s encampment sweeps that began last month.

Last month, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt ordered a large-scale sweep of homeless encampments in Tulsa.

Most youth who lack permanent housing in the state don’t fit the federal housing department’s definitions of homelessness and often don’t qualify for services.

Nine years ago, Tulsa and Oklahoma City were ranked among the 20 cities in the United States with the highest eviction rates, 11th and 20th, respectively.

Those displaced by Operation SAFE have found new barriers preventing them from accessing resources, and forcing them onto city property due to the order from the governor.

The governor again took aim at Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and other city leaders.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says it’s displacing long-standing homeless camps in Tulsa so that the people who live in them don’t get hit by cars.