The Secret Weapon in Solving our Homelessness Problem

I’m only about five years into this battle in working towards solving our homelessness problem in Tulsa. I’m no expert, but I have learned a few things as we’ve built Eden Village, transforming an old vacant weed-filled lot in NW Tulsa into a community of 63 tiny homes. We have a community center, lots of green space, and now our Restoration Farm, with farm animals and crops adding to our community. Our residents are formerly chronically homeless people, with well over one year of living without a home. As of now, we have a neighbor success rate of over 90%, meaning that they are not homeless anymore, with most thriving here at Eden Village. While not without problems and challenges, our neighbors are doing great, are very appreciative of what they have now, and we are proving this model works.

We have solved homelessness for our 63 folks, but what about the thousands more we have living on the streets, in cars, in shelters, and in the woods? This has been no small task….just ask me or the folks at City Lights, who are set to open their similar tiny home community with 75 this fall. Can’t speak for them, but I’m tired!

However, I see a very clear path to actually building many more of these proven tiny home communities serving people coming out of homelessness. It’s daring, a little risky, and will be hard. So be it. Without things like risk, hard work, and creative thinking, Eden Village would still be a pile of weeds and trash in a 17-acre lot.

I sent a letter to the city over two years ago stating that we have probably hundreds of acres of vacant land owned by churches that are underutilized. Unfortunately, some of those churches are dead or dying, and the land sits vacant. Some are struggling and could benefit from the sale of a portion of their land. Many are doing well (we are in the buckle of the Bible belt) andyet still have land or parking lots that are underutilized. And these strong churches had no land available, they could provide people and support to help other churches or organizations serving our formerly homeless neighbors.

So, why not challenge THE CHURCH to lead the charge in helping to solve our homelessness problem? In a book I recently read by Kevin Nye, Hope for the Mission, the author shares stories of churches doing this now in several cities.  He states, “Any Christian community that stewards space or property can and ought to be imagining ways to maximize these resources to the benefit of others.”  Specifically, he’s talking about our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

I’m a follower of Christ and have been members in and served in several churches in the Owasso and Tulsa communities. I know the challenge with this, as there are so many other issues and battles that our churches are engaged in and so many problems to solve. I know the challenges of “Nimbyism”. I understand the limitations of budgets.

However, the Jesus we read about and serve had a lot to say about caring for the least of these. Our neighbors struggling just to stay alive on the streets certainly seem to fit that category of being the least of these. THE CHURCH, if it really wanted to do the words of Jesus, has the opportunity to be the “secret weapon” in working towards solutions in this homelessness space. Our area churches not only have the land and resources to build many more communities, but the people to work in building relationships with and serving our neighbors.  

We can build smaller communities, with a little as 5 tiny homes, with the church serving as the support system. With larger properties, communities of 15, 20, or even more could be developed. The church members could serve people right in their backyard, literally, in serving people who’ve been chronically homeless for years. I’ve seen firsthand the many challenges and issues our residents bring with them to our community. What I know and have seen is that a safe and dignified home in a community is the beginning of their healing. From there, it takes positive relationships, support, and community. Isn’t this what THE CHURCH is all about? 

Jesus did his best work through relationships. It’s time that THE CHURCH bring to the table what they have in land, resources, and people in doing what’s needed to work towards really solving this homelessness problem. This is happening in other cities, so why not here in Tulsa?  Together, we could really make Tulsa be a city where No One Sleeps Outside.