Oklahoma City’s use of boulders under bridges raises questions about homelessness solutions and community safety
Oklahoma City: There’s been quite a stir lately over some big rocks placed under bridges in the city. These boulders are causing a lot of chatter about how we handle homelessness.
So, the city put these rocks under the Oklahoma City Boulevard bridge to stop people from camping out there. Officials say it’s all about safety, but many folks think it’s just a harsh way to deal with the homeless situation.
Critics are calling this “hostile architecture,” which is a fancy term for designs that make it tough for people to use public spaces. They argue it’s unfairly targeting those without homes.
But the city’s Key to Home program, which aims to help the homeless, insists that safety is the main concern. They’ve actually moved 27 people from that spot into supportive housing first.
Jamie Caves, who manages the city’s homeless strategy, mentioned that the area is dangerous because it’s right next to a busy street. They want to keep everyone safe while also finding them homes.
Since starting in 2023, Key to Home has helped house 333 people, working towards a goal of 500 by 2025. They believe everyone deserves a safe place to live, and they’re tackling the issue one camp at a time.
This isn’t the first time rocks have been used in this way in OKC. Earlier, similar measures were taken under other bridges to prevent camping. The city is trying to balance community needs while focusing on helping the vulnerable.
Some advocates, like the Homeless Alliance, support the rehousing efforts but criticize the use of boulders. They argue that just pushing people away doesn’t solve the problem. Everyone deserves a chance at a stable home.
