homelessness

Each year the Oklahoma City Homeless Alliance conducts a point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness. It’s a census of those in shelters, transitional housing, meal sites and living on the street.

This year volunteers counted 1,273 homeless adults and children in Oklahoma City, an eight percent increase from 2018.

A one-night survey of homelessness in Oklahoma City shows overall homelessness rates are down by nearly 10 percent. However, survey organizers say not all of the results show signs of improvement.

The Oklahoma City Council voted unanimously Tuesday morning to introduce an ordinance that prohibits panhandlers on medians.

Robert is a modern-day newsie. But he doesn’t hawk a tabloid or news rag on the streets of New York or Mexico City. He sells The Curbside Chronicle at busy intersections in northwest Oklahoma City. Some sales days are better than others.

“I did do really well Friday. I had 31 magazines and I sold out in less than two hours,” said Robert, who chose not to share his last name. “I didn’t have any more and I was upset with myself ‘cause I should have bought at least 60.”