Some unhoused people succeed, despite laws against homelessness

Apr. 30—Hope floats among those who are homeless, and many wait for years for help before finally securing a home and income.

For some, like Jeff Fleming, persistence and help from programs like CREOKS Health Center make enough of a difference to get them in their own homes and assistance with benefits.

At the Day Center, Ed Blanchard manages programs offered to those who frequent the facility.

Fleming, who is in a wheelchair, volunteers there every day with the lunch program. He was homeless for some time and stayed for several months at the Tahlequah Men's Shelter.

"I got hurt in 2016, and being Cherokee, I decided to move here," Fleming said. "I was trying to figure out my options, and a few months after I got here, I managed to get unemployment. That got me a little bit of money to get me started."

Fleming met Jacqueline Kirsch with CREOKS Mental Health Center. She became his counselor and worked on getting him in a shelter.

"Now I'm renting my own house by the cemetery. I'm in the MAP program, which is a mortgage assistance program," Fleming said.

The Mortgage Assistance Program provides tribal citizens with up to $20,000 for a down payment and helps individuals repair their credit scores.

"It's a blessing to do this so late in life; I'll be 64 in August," Fleming said.

While there are concerted efforts in Tahlequah and other cities in Oklahoma to address the homeless problem, laws continue to be written and passed that are aimed at the unhoused population.

House Bill 3686, which was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt April 29, makes it a misdemeanor to take up unauthorized residence on public land.

Authored by State Rep. Chris Kannady, R-District 91, the bill prohibits any person from setting up unauthorized camps on state-owned lands. This includes tents, shelters, or bedding constructed for overnight sleeping on property not designated as a campsite, states the summary of the bill.

Violators are subject to a $50 fine or up to 15 days in the county jail, or both, if convicted.

Tahlequah City Council recently passed an ordinance to create a new code making it "unlawful for any person, between the hours of midnight and sunrise, to sleep on any street, in any other public place, or on any property of another without the express or tacit consent of the owner or person in charge of such place," states Code 10-414(A).

Coinciding with that new regulation is Code 10-414(B), which makes it unlawful for a person to loiter on or about the premises of any public or private property or other public building.

Another one, Code 10-412, makes it unlawful to be a "vagrant" in the city limits. The definition of "vagrant" refers to anyone who loiters, remains in, or wanders about a public or public place.

On the other side of the legal blockades homeless individuals continue to face are a couple of strong efforts by Cherokee Nation and the city of Tahlequah to address the issue and find solutions. A proposed 100-bed crisis facility at Phoenix Park by the Cherokee Nation is being developed in partnership with the city.

To make up for the loss of the ball fields currently at that location, Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. gained support from the Tribal Council to begin negotiations on expanding Anthis-Brennan Sports Complex for Tahlequah.

"When you can take those two needs — to help people who are displaced, and expand opportunities for fitness, tourism, and economic development — that's a win-win," said Mayor Suzanne Myers.

If the plan comes to fruition, turf would be installed and four additional baseball fields built, in addition to the current soccer fields and four softball fields, Myers said. The baseball fields could be used for softball, and vice-versa.

"We could become a hub for tournament play, if this all happens," Myers said. "The Tribal Council has given Chief Hoskin the authority to negotiate up to $7 million for this."

The $7 million is a donation to the city, and in exchange, CN gets approximately 25 acres of Phoenix Park. All this is contingent upon the approval of the City Council, Myers said.

A study being conducted by Homebase, a consultancy dedicated to the social problem of homelessness, will be reviewed by the public in two town hall meetings. The Tahlequah City Council approved a contract with Homebase for $41,531 on Dec. 4, 2023. This will cover the consultants' scope of work, including all professional services, travel and costs.

City Administrator Taylor Tannehill said a series of town halls are set to get input from residents on what Homebase found in the study.

"[We] invite the public to come and share what they feel the city can do better to address homelessness," Tannehill said. "Homebase has talked to groups working with the unhoused, and have compiled qualitative and quantitative data. The public will have the opportunity to share suggestions to plug into the study."What's next

You're invited

The two town hall meetings will be held at the Armory Building on Tuesday, May 7, 6-8 p.m., and Wednesday, May 8, 9-11 a.m.