Housing Solutions Tulsa, alongside at least 70 volunteers, conducted the annual point-in-time count in Tulsa over the weekend.
The count serves as what Housing Solutions told NewsChannel 8 is an accurate, but not an exact count of Oklahomans experiencing homeless in the Tulsa metro.
"We actually start preparing for the count in August," said Housing Solutions Director of Outreach & Engagement Josh Sanders. "[Volunteers] come meet up here at Iron Gate every day and we go out from here to every corner of Tulsa."
Sanders said the process includes going up to people who don't have somewhere to stay, asking them a few initial questions, and then asking them to participate in a survey. Volunteers also brought people hand warmers, tarps, and blankets and took those who were willing to shelters to keep them warm as temperatures dropped.
"I believe we had roughly 70 volunteers come through this weekend," said Sanders. "Finding everybody is a challenge in and of itself."
Sanders said that challenge is likely caused by Oklahomans who take up temporary residence in abandoned buildings or places that are nearly impossible for volunteers to safely get to. Sanders said that Housing Solutions always prioritizes volunteer safety over anything, and was thankful for those who participated in the count. One notable volunteer was Tulsa District 7 City Councilor Lori Decter who shared her experience in a Facebook post Friday.
"This is the second year I've participated as a volunteer and it was great seeing so many folks from across our community show up to aide in this work," said Wright.
Housing Solutions said last year's point-in-time count reported 1,063 individuals and families, sheltered and unsheltered experiencing homelessness in Tulsa. While the number's from this year's count were too early to call definitive, Sanders gave his prediction to NewsChannel 8 Saturday.
"I do think that we may see a slight increase, but you know, I'm really just not sure at this point," said Sanders.
Sanders said that uncertainty was tied to the biggest underlying problem in the fight against homelessness, housing instability.
"Tulsa county is in an eviction crisis," said Sanders. "We have almost more evictions than anywhere else in the nation. We also have a lack of social services."
Sanders said the count helps Housing Solutions and the city understand the needs locally and understand the gaps in current services for the unhoused. Sanders added that it will also help guide future grant requests and Housing Solutions' program operations.
"We are going to follow up on some of those locations [our volunteers visit] as we go through the year," said Sanders. "Whenever we're reviewing the data and the information that we get back from the count."
Housing Solutions has not specified when data from this year's count will be available.