Oklahoma City's Encampment Rehousing Initiative makes strides in combating homelessness

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Oklahoma City officials say efforts to help those experiencing chronic homelessness are beginning to make an impact.

It's happening through a program organized by the Key to Home Partnership.

Homeless strategy implementation manager Jamie Caves with the City of Oklahoma City tells Fox 25 that since last year, they've been helping people find homes.

"We believe that everyone deserves a place to call home," Caves said. "We're so excited that we get to be part of providing a dignified solution to homelessness."

Caves says a program called the Encampment Rehousing Initiative has helped 153 people find homes.

"We work to move them from encampments directly into housing in four to six weeks. We have a goal of housing 500 people by the end of 2025."

So far, the Key to Home Partnership is 30% of the way there.

She says the program is having an effect on the percentage of Oklahoma City's unsheltered population experiencing chronic homelessness, which fell to 48% in 2024. That's a 14% decrease from 2023.

"We're really excited about that. We know there's a lot more work to do."

Caves makes that point after seeing the City's annual "Point in Time Count."

According to the report, 62% of people accessed winter shelters, but only a small percentage of the group used resources in other places.

"This is a good indicator that diversion would be a really strong intervention with these people. That would help them not even have to experience one day of being homeless. We could provide that support, and divert them from entering the homeless response system."

Caves says she'll work to launch a diversion program by the end of the year.