Building hope: City Lights Village and Eden Village leaders on creating more affordable housing

Jan 05, 2024

City Lights Village is one of two planned communities to address homelessness. Currently the organization is fundraising and demonstrating the future of the tiny home community with a model home on display for those interested in learning more about the project.

The bad news is that Tulsa has a problem: a shortage of affordable housing and a growing homeless population.

The good news is the city recognizes this and has rolled up its sleeves to start digging its way out. Multiple sources — city leadership, philanthropic donors, social service organizations — are working both together and separately before the homeless levees potentially break and overwhelm the community.

Two nonprofit organizations are addressing homelessness with similar solutions: communities of tiny houses.

Sarah Grounds

TulsaPeople spoke with Sarah Grounds, founder and executive director of City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma, which will operate City Lights Village, and Brad Johnson, founder of Eden Village of Tulsa Inc.

City Lights has been working with Tulsans experiencing homelessness for 10 years and visiting and studying similar villages in multiple states for five years. It is a partner with the city's continuum of care A Way Home for Tulsa and has an extensive volunteer base. As a former hospital ICU trauma/neuro nurse, Grounds understands the medical issues of many people experiencing homelessness.

Eden Village was established as a nonprofit in May 2022. Johnson has volunteered with local homeless support organizations and researched other tiny home villages for two years. As a small business owner and member of Tulsa's Home Builders Association for 33 years, he brings business acumen and construction experience.

Brad Johnson

What is the plan?

City Lights: A 23-acre village of 75 small modular homes built in triplexes in a gated community with a community center, orchards and gardens located near 46 Street North, west of Peoria.

Eden Village: A village of 17 acres for 63 tiny homes (also triplex model), a community center and space for gardens and walking located in northwest Tulsa on 61st West Avenue. It is about 3 miles west of downtown Tulsa on Charles Page Boulevard.

What size are the homes and why are they built in triplexes?

Homes in both villages are 400 square feet and intended for single occupancy. Each has a separate entry; three are built together to meet city zoning codes.

How will the villages work?

The homes will be owned by Eden Village and City Lights Village. Residents will pay rent, utilities included: $400 at City Lights, $350 at Eden Village. Both villages will provide wraparound individual support services for physical, mental and emotional needs.

How will they choose the residents?

Both will conduct an application and interview process.

What is the cost? How will they raise funds?

City Lights: Planning a comprehensive integrated campaign that will come in under $20 million and includes long-term sustainability and operations.

Eden Village: $5.9 million. Johnson is challenging churches and businesses to underwrite a house for $50,000.

Both organizations are seeking donations and will apply for grants where applicable.

What is the timeline?

City Lights: Will break ground when infrastructure funds are raised.

Eden Village: Grading and laying pipes for water and sewage have begun.

How to make a donation, volunteer or visit the sites.

City Lights: Visit citylightsok.org for information, email [email protected] with questions or to arrange a tour of the property.

Eden Village: Visit edenvillagetulsa.org or email [email protected] to visit a model home or site visit.

In February, Housing Solutions released findings from the annual Point-in-Time Count, an annual survey of people experiencing homelessness in Tulsa County conducted the last week of January. A lack of affordable housing was a claim made by 44% of the 1,133 respondents.

Some of its findings include:

Connie Cronley is the author of four books, commentator for public radio 89.5 FM and a columnist for TulsaPeople.

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