Gov. Kevin Stitt’s efforts to clean up homeless encampments are now being carried out in Oklahoma City, this time in partnership with the city’s Key to Home program.
In a news release late Monday, Stitt announced the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation had begun clean ups of encampments on state property.
The operation first started in Tulsa in September. Stitt said it is a state initiative to “restore safety and cleanliness by removing homeless encampments, trash, and debris from state-owned property.” According to the news release, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol has legal authority to target state-owned property including underpasses, highways, state buildings, and other state-controlled land.
Stitt called the operation a success in Tulsa and said business leaders and stakeholders quickly requested the state do the same in Oklahoma City.
“The state is doing its job, and just like in Tulsa, it’s the role of the city and non-profits to ensure Oklahoma City stays clean and safe for all residents,” Stitt said in the news release.
Workers are shown clearing a homeless encampment in Tulsa during the state’s Operation SAFE efforts there in September. Operation SAFE is now being carried out in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma partners with Key to Home for Operation SAFE in OKC
According to the news release, the state is partnering with Key to Home, a program that helps connect people to shelter, treatment and housing. Currently, Key to Home’s Encampment Rehousing Initiative has helped nearly 450 people transition from unsheltered homelessness into housing with supportive services. The program’s goal is to rehouse at least 500 people by the end of 2025.
Homeless Strategy Implementation Manager Jamie Caves said the state approached them about addressing encampments on state property and their program was already in place to offer a solution.
“We’ve worked hard to coordinate efforts more effectively and create a streamlined pathway to restoration for our neighbors who are sleeping outside,” Caves said.
This is a developing story.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt authorizes Operation SAFE in Oklahoma City
