'Tulsa Has To Rally Around This Issue:' Due To High Demands, Waitlist For Affordable Housing Will Close

The Tulsa Housing Authority (THA) is closing two of its waiting lists, as some applicants are facing up to a two-year wait for affordable housing.

The authority says demand for affordable housing far exceeds supply, with more than 12,000 people on the waiting lists for the River West Community and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

"As you can imagine, most people when they are applying for housing through us, through the housing authority, they need that now, and so it's not a good practice for us to keep accepting applications when the waitlist is that long," said Finny Hensley of the Tulsa Housing Authority.

Hensley explained that closing waiting lists is a common practice when the number of applicants greatly exceeds available housing units. THA has received more than 69,000 applications for its properties across Tulsa.

"That speaks to the significant and unmet need for affordable housing in Tulsa," Hensley said. "A Tulsa housing study that came out last year showed that we have a pent-up demand for around 4,000 housing units, with an additional need for 9,000 units over the next ten years."

While the city has made efforts to address the housing shortage, Hensley noted that continued job growth will increase the need for affordable housing.

"Those people have to have a place to live, and that place to live has to be affordable for a variety of incomes," she said. "Tulsa has to rally around this issue, to make an impact so we don't head into what could be a true crisis."

The waiting lists will close on Wednesday, Sept. 18. Those who have already applied will not be affected. Applications will be accepted until the closing date.

Related: Tulsa Housing Authority To Close Waitlist For River West, Section 8 Housing Programs