Oklahoma’s Own In Focus: How OKC is working to prevent homelessness

Oklahoma City has shifted its focus on homelessness toward efforts to prevent it. News 9 has followed the city's efforts over the past year as case management teams connect with people in need. 

OKC's Key to Home partnership

One of those solutions is OKC's Key to Home partnership made up of more than 50 non-profits. Through their Encampment Rehousing Initiative, case managers go directly into camps and work to house everyone within four to six weeks. 

So far, 97% of the people in this program have stayed in housing. Leaders at the Homeless Alliance want to keep people from losing their housing options. 

Homeless Alliance's new diversion program

They launched a new program diversion program this year to tackle that issue. Homeless Alliance chief shelter officer Ian Apfelbaum said they want to stay ahead of problems.  

“In the longer term, we’re spending less money,” Apfelbaum said. “We’re getting more people housed.” 

Apfelbaum understands that life can take many complicated turns. He helps coordinate the diversion program to help people who experience homelessness for the first time. 

“Help them through it and have a solution for them,” Apfelbaum said. “Connect to people quicker. “We can work through creative budgeting strategies and help out with small things like groceries so that they can save up enough money to be able to pay for a deposit.” 

Apfelbaum said people struggle to navigate this crisis alone. 

“It can be a lot, and that can be really crippling and debilitating to have to be like start everything all over again,” Apfelbaum said. “Just that little extra helping hand and nudge in the right direction has been super successful.” 

Basic life changes can lead to homelessness

Apfelbaum said the path to homelessness doesn’t take much for some people. 

“A lot of us are living paycheck to paycheck and all it takes is the loss of your job for a couple weeks,” Apfelbaum said. 

How diversion supports people with immediate needs

Apfelbaum remembered a man this new program helped after his truck broke down on a cross-country road trip. 

“He had housing in another state but couldn’t afford to fix his truck,” Apfelbaum said. "We were able to pay for transportation to get him back up there.” 

Apfelbaum said their aid can keep a person on the right path and save money from long-term services. 

“Everyone deserves a home over their head,” Apfelbaum said. 

If this program continues its success the Homeless Alliance will make it a permanent tool. They could expand the program citywide after this year’s test period. 

Affordable housing investment in OKC

Oklahoma has one of the highest eviction rates in the country. Experts said the lack of affordable housing drives up homelessness rates. 

The city is investing $55 million into affordable housing through MAPS 4. One of those projects is renovating the Bricktown Motel 6 building into housing. The OKC Housing Authority said it wants to create 3,000 housing units through those funds.