oops! They got it Wrong. Mistakes happen.

We appreciate the great news coverage from our local TV stations over the past year, and it’s all been pretty good and accurate.  Not so with the KJRH story which aired last week. The story made it sound like we were getting ready to open very soon, which is not the case.  We have made good progress over the last 19 months, but we’ve just recently started actual construction of our 63 tiny-home community serving folks coming out of chronic homelessness. While we have added an application form on our website, it will be late Spring before we begin interviewing and selecting our first 9 residents for later this summer.

They also said that to apply, one had to have $1000. Well, it should have said applicants need to document at least $1000 in monthly income to be able to pay the very modest $350/mo rent bills paid. Big difference there.  We know that very few homeless people have $1000 in their back pocket, and if they do, it’s probably been stolen. That’s the reality.

Many of our chronically homeless have some type of mental or physical disability, which they receive about $1000/mo from the federal government.  10% are vets, so these should have some type of VA benefit.  Some have part-time jobs, in which they earn money.  And most of our future residents will heal from their trauma and benefit from our many services we provide, have life skills and job training, so that they can enjoy at least a part-time job to earn money.   

This concept has been proven to work in Eden Villages in Springfield MO, Wilmington NC, and is being developed in 10 other cities across the nation.  While not perfect, it will work in Tulsa, for 63 folks who are now living in the woods, under a bridge, in a car, in a temporary shelter, etc.  We look forward to that day later in 2024.