Choice Neighborhoods Initiative

The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative will improve affordable housing options in the Webster community. With a $30 million grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, this initiative will rebuild neighborhoods and housing, expand opportunities, create pathways to jobs, and strengthen families.

The project will create partnerships to rebuild distressed public and assisted housing; connections to services and programs to improve health, education, and economic outcomes for residents; and conditions necessary for reinvestment in distressed neighborhoods - like security, improved schools, access to grocers and other neighborhood services.

Included in the project is a required resident relocation process that will impact several families in the Webster Middle and High School community, along with Clinton West Elementary, Eugene Field Elementary, and Robertson Elementary.

Residents of the Riverview and Brightwater apartments are being required to relocate in three phases:

• Phase 1 will take place April-August of 2019 and 70 households of Riverview Park will be relocated.
• Phase 2 will happen April-August of 2020 and 120 households of Riverview Park will be relocated.
• Phase 3 will take place in 2021 and 200 households of Brightwater will be relocated. Also, 25 Riverview and 35 Brightwater households can relocate back.

During the relocation process, the Tulsa Housing Authority and Urban Strategies will provide residents with:

• Relocation planning and mobility counseling to help maximize housing choices.
• Enhance supportive services.
• Tulsa Housing Authority will move your household; provide lump sum payment to cover moving costs or reimburse you for your actual reasonable moving costs.
• Tulsa Housing Authority will pay to connect utilities.
• Tulsa Housing Authority will reimburse residents for credit check fees.

Those being relocated can choose between:

• Another Tulsa Housing Authority public housing unit.
• Section 8 Voucher.
• An unsubsidized unit of your choosing (you may be eligible for a replacement housing payment).
• If you want to buy a home, you may be eligible for down payment assistance.
  • If this option interests you, please make sure we connect you with Housing Programs of Tulsa. they offer a homebuyer class, as well as Down Payment Assistance.
• Relocation Coordinators will also provide a list of apartments across the city that will accept vouchers, providing you with multiple choices.

Tulsa Public Schools is partnering with residents, the Tulsa Housing Authority and Urban Strategies to minimize the impact on parents and families.

The district is participating in community meetings, providing district-offered alternative activities, introducing transportation opportunities, and providing alternative relocation options within the district.

During the relocation phase, Tulsa Public Schools will:

• Discuss transportation options if you would like to stay with your child's current school..
• Provide support if you would like to transfer your child to another school in the district.
• Help keep your child in the district if you move outside of city limits.

Tulsa Public Schools is here to serve and support you and provide your child with a great educational experience, and that will never change.

Transitions like these can be difficult for children and the district, along with our teachers and school leaders at your child's school are ready to support your family. If you have concerns about how your child is feeling, please talk to your child's teacher, school leader, or school counselor about supports and resources that may be available.