TULSA, Okla. — The City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma has offered the public a first glimpse of construction at City Lights Village, a transformative project aimed at providing housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. The village will ultimately feature 75 homes, with the first 30 homes currently under construction alongside a 12,000-square-foot community center.
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“This is phase one,” said Sarah Grounds, Executive Director and Co-Founder of City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma. “It's our first 30 homes as well as our community center, and we are just really excited to share the work that's been done...We still have about a little over $6 million left to raise so that we can then roll into phase two, which is an additional 45 homes and laundry facility.”
Grounds described the progress as a long-awaited milestone for the nonprofit.
“It's my favorite to come out here and see it. We have incredible builders on site that are passionate about this project. We have amazing, generous supporters that have come behind us and to really be able to come out here and see the progress move forward after lots of years of study, lots of years of work, and for a real solution for people is incredible. It really is one of my favorite things to do, to come out here and see what's happening. Next favorite will be when we actually are starting to move people in.”
Phase one of the project includes 30 homes and a community center that will provide a wide range of services. Grounds emphasized that housing is only the first step, and the foundation is committed to ensuring residents have access to essential resources, medical support, and communal spaces.
“Housing is the beginning, not the end for us. We really believe that housing alone will not solve homelessness, that it is housing coupled with community and resources and so as people move in here, we're building out our 12,000 square foot community center that will have huddle rooms for partner agencies to come in and work with people and a lot of other gathering spaces, medical rooms, a laundry facility, all of those things that people need to surround them, to help lift them up to be successful.”
Currently, 15 of the 30 homes in phase one are already sponsored, with City Lights aiming to secure funding for the remaining homes by the end of the year. If fundraising goals are met, the organization plans to complete construction by summer 2026, including the remaining 45 homes and laundry facility in phase two.
City Lights Village represents a significant effort to provide both permanent housing and community support to Tulsa residents experiencing homelessness. The foundation credits the progress to dedicated builders, generous donors, and years of careful planning.
“The goal is not just to provide a roof over someone’s head, but to create a community where residents can thrive,” Grounds added.
For more information on the City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma and to learn more about City Lights Village, visit City Lights Foundation.
Originally reported by Fox 23. Com News Staff in Fox 23 News.
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