City Of Tulsa To Open New Homeless Shelter In Old Juvenile Justice Center

A homeless camp on a Tulsa sidewalk has prompted the city to reopen an overflow shelter that recently closed.

With COVID-19 precautions forcing shelters to limit capacity, Tulsa’s homeless population has been more visible out on the streets.

One block of Archer Street in downtown, has become one of the Tulsa's most visible homeless camps. About 30 people live there, underneath some shade trees, on the sidewalk across from the Salvation Army. They go across the street for food, then return to their chairs and mattresses.

Jennifer Burchett spends time here drawing each day. She lived on Archer four months.

The group works together to gather up trash, and sweep the ground, but the poor conditions on Archer are pushing the City to come up with an alternative. The plan is to reopen the old Juvenile Justice Center next week.

It can hold 50 people each night and 150 during the day. The City will spend $500,000 in COVID-19 relief money to run the shelter through New Year’s.