STUDY: Tahlequah homeless population doubled since 2021

Sep. 25—A survey conducted by the University Day Center in Tahlequah, documented that the number of people experiencing homelessness and utilizing support services in the surrounding area has more than doubled since 2021.

The study covered the period between July 14-Aug. 13. Ed Blanchard, manager of the Day Center and author of the survey, said that August of this year was the third highest month for people utilizing the lunch program and facilities at the Day Center.

The number of respondents to a survey completed by Blanchard in 2021 was 146, and in 2023 that increased to 232. The study did not count children, but Blanchard estimated 50-70 had been served in August.

Out of the 232 respondents in the latest survey, 53.9% were experiencing homelessness. In 2021, out of 146 respondents, the number was 26.7%.

"We gave out 3,218 lunches in August," Blanchard said. "August is always one of the biggest months because families are stretching dollars. We've had a lot of families and parents coming in with kids. We are trying to help as many people as we can."

In the most recent meeting of Tahlequah Resource Outreach Team on Sept. 14, Blanchard provided the study results of the Day Center count. Blanchard suggested that the study shows significant instability in the homeless community numbers.

The gathering of people at the TROT meetings involved in helping homeless individuals and the many support organizations for mental illness and substance abuse, is making progress, said Josh Allen, Ward 4 Councilor and chair of the TROT group.

Sam Bradshaw, president of the Men's Shelter and the Peaceful Warrior's Way, reported via phone that the shelter on Keetoowah Street is full most of the time.

"We've had a lot of serious substance abuse issues, and it's such a controversial topic," Bradshaw said. "We understand [how it is] dealing with mental health and substance abuse, but we have people in the shelter trying hard to stay sober. We have to kick them out if [they are] using and set them up with someone that can help."

The manager of the Men's Shelter, John Beckmann, said the shelter doesn't just serve people who are accessing the housing offered at the shelter, but anyone who is hungry, needs clothing or blankets, can come to the shelter and get those items.

"If somebody needs clothing, whether they are residents [here] or not, we help them out with clothing," Beckmann said. "If they are [living on] the street, we've got blankets [for them] and we service anybody in need of items, including shoes, socks and underwear."

People will knock on the door of the shelter when they are hungry or need help with personal items, Beckmann said.

"We are going to be making up backpacks with toiletries, a list of resources, a blanket and [other items, and will be giving them out soon]," Beckmann said.

An interesting piece of information from the Day Center study, Blanchard said in a phone interview, is none of the people taking the survey responded yes to the question regarding whether police from other towns had brought them to Tahlequah and dropped them off, and the majority of the people had family in the area or was from the Tahlequah area.

Allen presented an agenda item at the Sept. 5 regular council meeting, requesting the members to approve investigating the costs for a Homelessness and Housing Assessment Study of the city. The item was approved unanimously.

"This will help us with long-term planning and will help put us in a much better position to bring in outside funding with the needs that come to light," Allen said.

Tulsa completed such a study by professional consultants three years ago. Rhonda Clemens, Cherokee Nation direction of grants and executive director of the Zoe institute, reported at the TROT meeting that Tulsa is on track for their target of care. The results of Tulsa's study is online at www.housingsolutionstulsa.org.

At the September monthly TROT meeting, requests were collected from attendees regarding what the city can do to address the issues of homelessness for their organizations.

"I am currently working to turn those requests into a single document that will be shared with the city administration. This document will also be presented at the next TROT meeting," Allen said.

A listing of resources available for people looking for help and providers, has been made available on the City of Tahlequah's website. It has been revamped to be more mobile phone friendly and a downloadable PDF is available, Allen said. The lists are available at www.cityoftahlequah, under "Site Links."

TROT got its start when Sue Catron, former mayor, wanted to get community members together to collaborate on how to reduce the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Tahlequah. Another purpose was to provide resources to assist those individuals to access support services they needed, Catron said.

The group named itself the Tahlequah Resource Outreach Team and Nate King, Tahlequah Police Chief, volunteered to lead the organization.

Due to the pandemic, the group did not meet for several months in 2020 and early 2021, and eventually the meetings stopped altogether. When Allen was elected to office in a special election in February 2023, he took over the gathering of people and resources to attack the increasing problem of homelessness in Tahlequah.