Choice Neighborhoods Initiative

The Choice Neighborhoods Initiative will improve affordable housing options in the Comanche Park community. With a $50 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 Comanche Park community and their local schools:

• Walt Whitman Elementary
• Hawthorne Elementary
• Monroe Demonstration Academy
• McLain High School

Residents of the Comanche Park apartments are being required to relocate between Fall 2022 and Spring 2023. 

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

• Relocation planning and mobility counseling to help maximize housing choices;
• Enhanced supportive services;
• Assistance with moving costs;
  • Tulsa Housing Authority will move your household, provide lump sum payment to cover moving costs, or reimburse you for your actual reasonable moving costs.
• Assistance of with costs of connecting utility services (Tulsa Housing Authority); and
• Reimbursement of credit check fees (Tulsa Housing Authority).

Families being relocated can choose among:

• Another Tulsa Housing Authority public housing unit;
• A Section 8 voucher;
• An unsubsidized unit of your choosing (you may be eligible for a payment for replacement housing);
• Down payment assistance if you want to buy a home; or
  • 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.
• Apartments across the city that will accept vouchers.
  • A list of these apartments can be provided by Relocation Coordinators.

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; and
• 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.