High Call Volume From Eastern Oklahoma's 211 Hotline Indicates Rent Assistance Still Needed

Call takers for eastern Oklahoma’s 211 hotline say they are still getting a high number of calls from people who need help paying their rent. The eviction moratorium has already ended and at least one local resource in the Tulsa area that helps people with rent is no longer accepting applications.

Ashlie Casey, executive director of the 211 hotline through the Community Service Council, says some people planned for the end of the moratorium while others are now struggling to pay rent. 211 is seeing hundreds of calls each month for rent assistance, including nearly 900 in January.

More than 500 people have already called for the month of March. There are new concerns centered around inflation and the rising cost of things like gas prices and groceries.

Restore Hope Ministries is one of the most popular rental assistance programs in the area, but is currently not accepting applications so they can focus on helping the people already signed up.

“Some of those resources that are available in our community have limitations,” said Casey.

Organizers with 211 expect calls for rent assistance and other needs to stay high given the current job situation and economic downturn.

Casey says despite the limitations from resources, those who need help should still call the hotline because call takers are trained to help identify other needs for people.