Tulsa, Brown County Tackle Rising Homelessness Crisis

Homelessness remains a critical issue across various U.S. cities, with a significant rise in unsheltered individuals reported in places like Brown County, Wisconsin, where the number of unsheltered homeless has surged to 86 in 2024. Experts attribute this increase to rising housing costs and a lack of affordable housing options, which have left many families unable to secure stable living conditions. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, local leaders are emphasizing the urgent need for affordable housing development, with Mayor Monroe Nichols aiming for 'functional zero homelessness' by 2030. The Tulsa Day Center has successfully rehomed hundreds but faces capacity challenges in their shelters. Similarly, the Brown County Homeless and Housing Coalition is striving to reduce homelessness to zero, highlighting the need for more dwelling units to meet growing demand. These narratives point to a broader crisis in urban America, where economic disparities and housing shortages continue to impact vulnerable families and individuals.