Q&A: How OKC Plans To Prevent Homelessness Amid Record National Increase

More than 700,000 people nationwide begin the new year without homes. National data from December shows a record jump in homelessness. 

Q: Why is homelessness growing? 

A: Chief communication officer Taylor Self said homelessness is a complex problem that results from multiple systems failing in a person’s life. She said the end of pandemic relief funding sources contributed to the increase. According to the Oklahoma Housing Authority, the number of people waiting for Section 8 housing vouchers in OKC topped 10,000 last year. 

“Affordable housing is a huge problem here in Oklahoma City,” Self said. 

Q: How does Oklahoma City compare to the rest of the country? 

A: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development revealed an 18% jump in homelessness last year. Oklahoma City’s 2024 Point in Time Count shows 1,800 people living outside, a 28% increase from 2023. 

“It’s very easy for [homelessness] to happen and it’s a very traumatic experience,” Self said. 

Q: How does data help cities find solutions? 

A: Self says data provides clarity on the resources missing. Advocates interact with people in the community and find out how they ended up in their situation. 

“We use that to identify trends that are happening and that is a way to inform the focus areas that we’ve got,” Self said. 

OKC’s Point in Time count helped jumpstart the Key to Home initiative that opens doors for people. 

Q: What’s the goal to reduce the numbers in 2025? 

A: The Homeless Alliance launched its new diversion pilot program to stop people from entering the unsheltered system. 

“Help them stay in housing or tap into some resources they maybe didn’t know existed,” Self said. “It’s not fun to see people suffering. It’s not our city. When we’re able to harness that compassion and care, it can really make a difference for others.” 

Q: What does the city do to help people during winter? 

A: OKC’s winter shelter is already open and ready to welcome people ahead of a brutal cold week ahead. The city has an emergency shelter plan in place for dangerous temperatures.