Shawnee, Oklahoma, December 7, 2023 – The City of Shawnee is excited to share that the local Native Homeless Alliance has made incredible progress within the first few months since its creation. Formed in July of 2023, to tackle Native American homelessness, the Alliance is comprised of 26 members representing housing authorities and other important programs and services associated with the Absentee Shawnee Tribe, the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma, and the Sac & Fox Nation.

The Native Homeless Alliance meets monthly to aid Shawnee area tribal members experiencing homelessness. The Alliance’s effort evolved from the discovery that 31% of the Shawnee’s homeless population is Native American, in contrast to the 13% of Shawnee residents who are tribal members. In collaboration with the City of Shawnee’s Homeless Program, the Alliance set a goal of decreasing Native American homelessness by 50% ahead of July 2024. As of November 2023, the Alliance has already cut the Native American homelessness rate in Shawnee to 22%! Over the coming months, the Alliance will continue to work with the Shawnee Homeless Program to identify and address the needs of tribal members.

As part of the Shawnee Homeless Roundtable, which includes the Native Homeless Alliance as well as other non-profits, service providers, and religious institutions, the City of Shawnee Homeless Program relies primarily on volunteers and donations. Community involvement is key to ending homelessness. If you, your group, or your organization are interested in getting involved, please see the City’s webpage for additional details: https://www.shawneeok.org/government/departments/planning/get_involved.php

For additional information, please contact Erika Genty, Homeless Program Coordinator, at 405-878-1543 or Erika.Genty@ShawneeOK.org.