'Hotel to Housing' Podcast Episode 1
Housing Solutions Tulsa (housingsolutionstulsa.org) is a collective impact of over 30 organizations that exists to plan and implement strategies that support a system of outreach, engagement, assessment, prevention and evaluation for those experiencing homelessness, or those persons at risk of homelessness, within Tulsa City/County.
During the historic stretch of sub-zero temperatures in Oklahoma in February 2021, Housing Solutions worked with community partners and philanthropic foundations to secure a former Wyndham Hotel, providing emergency housing for the city’s homeless population. Although the strategy was initially built as a response to a weather emergency, the Hotel to Housing project has an opportunity to be transformative in the way that our communities supports those experiencing homelessness. In addition to providing housing, the platform brings together community partners to provide deeper solutions to case manage for all of the needs of their clients. Partners help solve for basic and systemic resource needs including food insecurity, health, mental health and substance abuse treatment. Further, onsite services help to build resources to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness to lift themselves out of poverty, including education, workforce and long-term housing resources.
The Hotel to Housing project has not only housed 263 individuals since inception in February, but as a new evolution of the ‘housing first’ model, it has also provided real pathways for people to exit homelessness into permanent housing and has provided the ability to find long term success through education and employment. Episode 1 of the Thousand Stories podcast explores the project with a depth that can only be provided by leaders Becky Gligo and Juliana Kitten, who are considered national leaders in Housing First.
Podcast Participants:
Justin Brown, Secretary of Human Services
Becky Gligo, Executive Director Housing Solutions Tulsa
Juliana Kitten, Pathways Housing First Training Institute
Partner & Funding Organizations:
Housing Solutions Tulsa (housingsolutionstulsa.org)
Pathways Housing First Training Institute (pathwayshousingfirst.org)
Zarrow Foundation (zarrow.org)
OKDHS.org (okdhs.org)
