Homelessness

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.

Gov. Kevin Stitt’s removal of homeless camps in Tulsa will be an ongoing process and could expand to other areas of the state, an Oklahoma Highway Patrol official said Tuesday.

Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols is hitting back at Gov. Kevin Stitt as Oklahoma’s top politician empowers state police to take out homeless encampments in the city.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said the state will more aggressively police and displace unhoused people in Tulsa. The announcement was followed by quick action from highway patrol officers and rebukes from local leaders.

Navigating college admissions can be a challenge for anyone. For Melissa Hillebrandt, college marked the end of a long road that began with homelessness on the streets of Tulsa.