OKPOLICY.ORG
There are many causes to homelessness, but the one central piece we hear time and again is that there is a lack of affordable housing available to everyday Oklahomans.
There is a growing disparity between housing costs and wages, not only in Oklahoma but around the nation.
Without purposeful action, more Oklahomans will struggle with housing instability and homelessness.
If state legislators are serious about solving homelessness, they should find solutions to grow Oklahoma’s affordable housing stock and slow the high rate of evictions, not further traumatizing people already experiencing an enormous hardship.
Homelessness in Oklahoma: A Snapshot
Total experiencing homelessness, 2024: 5,497
- Sheltered homelessness: 3,251
- Emergency shelter: 2,599
- Transitional housing: 652
- Unsheltered homelessness: 2,216
The number of individuals experiencing homelessness increased 17.6% in 2024 when compared to 2023. The number of individuals experiencing homelessness in 2024 increased 29.5% when compared to 2007.
For every 10,000 people living in the state, 13 Oklahomans reported experiencing homelessness in 2024. This is higher than rates reported in neighboring states: Texas (9), Arkansas (9), Missouri (12), and Kansas (9). Colorado (32) and New Mexico (22) had the highest rates of neighboring states.
By gender
- Male: 3,241
- Female: 2,149
- Non-binary: 26
- Transgender: 25
- More than one gender: 18
- Culturally specific identity (e.g. Two-Spirit): 3
- Different identity: 3
- Questioning: 2
By race/ethnicity
- American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous: 634
- Asian or Asian American: 24
- Black, African American, or African: 1,222
- Hispanic/Latina/e/o Only: 241
- Middle Eastern or North African: 10
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 19
- White: 2,716
- Hispanic and One or More Race: 235
- Non-Hispanic and Multiple Race: 366
By age
- Experiencing homelessness under age 18: 646
- Experiencing homelessness over age 64: 234
Summary of additional populations
- Severely Mentally Ill: 1,218
- Chronic Substance Abuse: 980
- Veterans: 304
- HIV/AIDS: 35
- Victims of Domestic Violence: 611
Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development | HUD 2024 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs Homeless Populations and Subpopulations | The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress
OK Policy- Related Articles & Publications
- Newly formed Interagency Council on Homelessness of Oklahoma is needed now more than ever (Commentary) (August 2024)
- Oklahomans will go another year without solutions to housing crisis (2024 Legislative Wrap-up) (June 2024)
- Criminalizing homelessness is harmful and ineffective (April 2024)
- Lengthening the eviction timeline will increase access to justice for Oklahoma renters (SB 1575) by Katie Dilks, Oklahoma Access to Justice Foundation (March 2024)
- A job isn’t enough to afford housing for many Oklahomans (January 2024)
- Homeless in a heartbeat. Guest post by Camille Landry (2019)
Oklahoma Organizations
- Tulsa: Away Home for Tulsa
- Oklahoma City: Key to Home
- Norman: Norman Cleveland County Continuum of Care
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
