Tulsa County Social Services

Do you know someone who loves feeding people AND loves organization? We’re looking for someone who can lead our TLC kitchen — serving families and individuals in our community while managing menus, inventory, ordering, and a great team. County benefits, retirement, and meaningful work every day.

Apply here:
https://tulsacounty.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/TC/job/Tulsa-County-Social-Services/Lead-Cook_JR103598

As Tulsa’s newly released 2026 Point-In-Time (PiT) Count reminds us, homelessness continues to impact hundreds of individuals and families across our community. On a single night in January 2026, 1,443 people were identified as experiencing homelessness in Tulsa County, with lack of affordable housing listed as the #1 reported cause.

The report also showed:
• Emergency shelter utilization reached 137% capacity
• Average asking rent in Tulsa has increased 27% since 2020
• 77% of individuals counted reported having a disabling condition
• 33% reported experiencing domestic violence

These numbers remind us that homelessness is rarely caused by just one thing. Rising housing costs, loss of income, mental health challenges, medical issues, domestic violence, and lack of affordable housing all play a role.

At the Tulsa County Social Services Transitional Living Center (TLC), we see these realities every day — but we also see hope, resilience, and success stories.

While our fiscal year (July '25 to June '26) is not quite over yet, we wanted to share some of the progress being made through the TLC program from July 2025 through May 2026:
🏠 108 individuals housed through the TLC program
🏠 267 individuals meeting HUD’s housed definition
🍽️ 12,421 meals served
🚐 3,138 van service destinations completed
👥 192 program admits
💙 Hundreds of individuals and families served through shelter, case management, transportation, meals, housing navigation, and supportive services

One thing we want to clarify is that our “TLC Housed” definition is intentionally stricter than the HUD definition of housed. The TLC only counts households that successfully complete our program expectations and move into stable housing outcomes through our accountability-based model. HUD’s definition is broader and includes additional positive housing placements. Both measurements matter and help tell the full story.

One of the most encouraging takeaways from this year’s data is the number of individuals and families actively moving toward permanent housing:
• 58 households that are working with the TLC are approved for vouchers but still waiting to receive them
• 145 people approved for vouchers and preparing for housing opportunities
• 20 people currently holding vouchers and actively searching for housing

The challenges facing our community are real — but so is the impact that can happen when accountability, compassion, partnerships, and support come together.

Thank you to our staff, community partners, landlords, volunteers, and supporters who help make this work possible every day. Together, we continue working toward savings, skills, and stability for Tulsa County families. 💚

Sometimes life knocks us down in ways we never expected. When K.B. entered the Transitional Living Center program, she was facing depression, loss of income, homelessness, and uncertainty for both herself and her teenage daughter after experiencing a traumatic family event.

Through hard work, support, and determination, K.B. began rebuilding her life. She enrolled in therapy, sought medical care, returned to work, and committed herself to healing. Through the TLC savings program, she was able to repair her vehicle, continue supporting her daughter’s extracurricular activities, and even make prom possible during a difficult season of life.

Motivated by an urgent family need, K.B. pushed herself even further — locating housing and using her savings to secure a deposit and first month’s rent. Today, she and her daughter are living independently again, and K.B. continues focusing on healing, stability, and hope for the future.

At TLC, we believe recovery and stability are possible when people are given support, structure, accountability, and encouragement. We are so proud of K.B. and all the progress she has made. ❤️