OKC Mayor Takes Fight Against Homelessness To D.C.

Oklahoma City is taking its fight against homelessness to the nation's capital.

Mayor David Holt joined dozens of the country's largest cities asking the federal government for assistance.

50 bipartisan mayors went to Washington D.C. with the same mission. Helping their neighbors unites them all.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt took his local issue to national leaders.

Joined by dozens of other mayors, the bipartisan group lobbied Congress and the White House for support on four main areas.

That includes more assistance for veterans, more affordable housing developments, increased funding for housing choice vouchers, and more grant money for preventing homelessness.

The CEO of the homeless alliance reacted to the mayor's visit saying in part, "We are thrilled with the Mayor’s advocacy and look forward to continuing our partnership with the City of OKC to impact our neighbors experiencing homelessness.”

Back in Oklahoma City, long-term investments are expected to create change.

Helping people in a way that'll create new and better neighborhoods.

The Donahue Behavioral Health Hospital is set to open in northwest Oklahoma City in 2026.  

There will be 300 beds. The Mayor says while mental health is a priority locally, it was not one of the requests made at the federal level.