Current Shelter & Unhoused Population Information - Norman, Oklahoma

The City of Norman is currently entered into an emergency shelter services contract with Food and Shelter Inc. to operate an emergency, low-barrier shelter known as "A Friend's House" at the corner of James Garner Avenue & West Gray Street in Norman. Daily check-in time is 5 p.m. Call 405-360-4954 for more information.

Prior to this agreement, the City of Norman facilitated at two locations the administration and management of an emergency shelter from December 2019 to June 2022. Community discussions regarding solutions for homelessness in Norman with City officials, community partners and interested neighbors began cooperatively with long-term planning ideas in Spring 2020.

In June 2023, City Council approved $500,000 for the renovation of 718 N. Porter Avenue, which was being considered as a potential temporary shelter location while the City and Shelter Operator continued carrying out research for the best location for a permanent shelter. This matter was further discussed at a City Council Conference on June 27, 2023. The initial estimate of renovations of the downstairs area of this facility and placement of an outdoor wall, per staff reports, were $2 million. City Council approved a purchase & sale agreement with Cleveland County for 718 N. Porter in September 2023; staff was directed to carry out research and gather estimates for the expansion/upgrades at 109 W. Gray. An update regarding this research was provided by staff at the City Council Oversight Committee of December 14, 2023. 

An item for City Council to consider a $940,000 purchase of real property located at 5451 Huettner Drive to house a permanent emergency overnight/day shelter at the January 23, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting (Item #26) was withdrawn. City Council reconsidered the purchase of this property at the Regular City Council Meeting (Item #30) on February 27, 2023. The item was not approved.

City officials aim to foster feedback and public input as any plans move forward. Updates and information on the process, as well as associated timelines, will continue to be shared with the community as details are solidified.

The City of Norman is not a direct homeless resource provider. The City of Norman is currently a member of the OK 504 Norman/Cleveland County Oklahoma Continuum of Care (CoC) that works with partner agencies to ensure the planning, coordination and implementation of an effective and efficient system-wide response to homelessness. At one time, the City of Norman was the lead agency of the local CoC. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) introduced the Continuum of Care Planning Process in 1994. This community-based planning process identifies, prioritizes and works to meet the housing and supportive services needs of homeless individuals and families to include Transitional Housing, Permanent Supportive Housing, and Rapid Re-Housing.

See more information on direct resource providers, shelters and transitional housing within Cleveland County at a Community Resource List here. Individuals in need of assistance can also dial 211.

 

REPORTS & ANALYSES

 

AGREEMENTS & AMENDMENTS

 

MENTAL HEALTH/WELLNESS & TRANSPORTATION RESOURCES

 

TIMELINE, UPDATES & MEETING INFORMATION

  • Consolidated History & Timeline: December 2019 - December 2023
  • COPY: 718 N. Porter Pre-Development Meeting Notice, 7/13/23
    • The City of Norman Planning Commission voted down Resolution No. R-2324-24 on 8/10/23, which would have amended the NORMAN 2025 Land Use & Transportation Plan from Office Designation and Commercial Designation to Institutional Designation at 718 N. Porter. View a video recording of the vote and public meeting here.
  • UPDATE, 8/16/23: Future plans for the property at 718 N. Porter and the current shelter at 109 W Gray were discussed at a Special Session of the City Council on 8/15/23 and the public discussion can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E5FMTem6po. Additional information concerning this matter will communicated to the public as it becomes available.
  • UPDATE, 9/27/23: City Council approved a purchase and sale agreement with Cleveland County for the sale of 718 N. Porter property to another government entity at the 9/26/23 Norman City Council meeting (Item #13). Per earlier direction provided from City Council, City staff is in the process of carrying out research and gathering applicable quotes for potential upgrades/expansion to the current emergency shelter at James Garner Avenue and West Gray Street. As they are provided, additional updates will be made available for the community regarding this matter.
  • UPDATE, 12/21/23: City Council receives an update regarding the expansion and renovation of 109 W. Gray at the 12/14/23 City Council Oversight Committee, which can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sScp0Vc0O6E. Staff reported that renovation work could be expected to occur in the $300,000 range (with contingency funds) and work should result in: Space for up to 100 beds, new common areas, renovated floors and interior components, HVAC and storage room. The build-out timeline would be estimated at six months. Appropriation approval by City Council may be needed to move forward. The renovated facility is still intended to be a temporary emergency shelter; the search for a permanent shelter continues.
  • UPDATE, 1/25/24: An item for City Council to consider a $940,000 purchase of real property located at 5451 Huettner Drive to house a permanent emergency overnight/day shelter at the January 23, 2024, Regular City Council Meeting (Item #26) was withdrawn and may be placed on another agenda at a later date.
  • UPDATE, 2/28/24: City Council voted down a Purchase & Sales Agreement for 5451 Huettner Drive at the Regular City Council Meeting (Item #30) on February 27, 2024.
  • UPDATE, 5/24/24: An ongoing audit of the emergency shelter, "A Friend's House," was discussed in the 5/21/24 City Council Study Session (beginning around 1:00:37) and the discussion can be reviewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSX3Ea-HkPQ&t=5s.
    • Additional discussion regarding this audit was continued with the City Council Oversight Committee members and the contractor at the 6/13/24 Oversight Committee meeting, which can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTh3sC5sRYY
  • UPDATE 7/8/24: Items to discuss shelter contract amendments and locations for a permanent homeless shelter have been placed on the 7/9/24 City Council Conference agenda. This public meeting is open for anyone to attend and is also slated to be live-streamed on the City of Norman's YouTube page.
    • View a recording of the 7/9/24 meeting and discussion, as well as direction – largely centered around additional information-gathering to be carried out by staff – regarding shelter ideas here (5:30 - 1:12:13).
  • UPDATE, 7/24/24: Item #21 on the 7/23/24 City Council Meeting agenda pertained to homeless shelter discussion. A recording of this portion of the meeting can be found here beginning around 1:13:03.
  • UPDATE, 9/19/24: The City of Norman is aware of the update shared from City contractor and local nonprofit Food & Shelter today regarding the organization’s decision to discontinue emergency shelter management. Although the City has worked in good faith to reach contract resolutions agreeable to both parties regarding audit findings initially shared in May 2024 and believed that progress had been made, the City respects the decision of the Food & Shelter Board and will discuss next steps regarding emergency shelter operations with City Council. The shelter remains open at this time. The community will be kept apprised of relevant updates or news regarding this situation at Normanok.gov.
  • UPDATE, 10/7/24: The current shelter agreement, proposed amendments and general direction from City Council to City staff were covered at the livestreamed, public meetings of 9/24/24 and 10/1/24. Additional items regarding the contract between Food & Shelter and the City of Norman are slated for public meetings of 10/8/24.
    • No action was taken at public meetings of 10/8/24; items are expected to be revisited and discussed on 10/22/24.