OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, released the following joint statement after the announcement of HUB 107 being consolidated into the Alameda location of Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center:

“On October 7, we were informed of the decision by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to fold the services of HUB 107 into the Alameda location of Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center by October 17. 

“Since 2022, HUB 107 has operated under COCMH as a peer-led, immediate resource center to the general public regardless of housing situation. 

“We’ve been further informed that continued services will include food, clothing, pet supplies, and vaccinations — and that COCMH staff are actively seeking other partners to assist with laundry and shower services but will not provide them regularly. Additionally, HUB 107 staff will retain their employment. 

“We are communicating with the agencies about the effects of this transition, and, while we appreciate the retention of staff and continuation of most services, we have the following concerns:

— The loss of hygiene resources for our unhoused neighbors is an issue of personal and public health. Prioritizing short term savings over public safety will have long term consequences that affect everyone. 

— The loss of a day drop center will affect and potentially disrupt the work of neighboring state resources such as COCMH and Griffin Hospital. 

— HUB 107 has served as a buffer between our unhoused community and our downtown area business and homeowners. The loss of this buffer could result in more public incidents. 

— ODMHSAS already owns the HUB 107 building, so annual savings will not dig the Department out of the overwhelming financial hole created during the Governor’s past appointments. 

— Less than two weeks' notice of closure is not a responsible approach to shifting resources and guiding a population. 

“Many members of the Legislature have shown willingness to supplement ODHMSAS through this struggle, but the Governor’s continued insistence upon 'flat budgets' and his war of words against 'goody two shoes' appears to be in the way of public health and safety. And while the Governor groans openly about the state of his own publicly subsidized mansion, diminishing a resource that serves entire communities only perpetuates negative cycles of public health and poverty. 

“Short term savings rarely result in long term gains. The financial woes of ODMHSAS are highly publicized and will be taken out, in part, on our community. Fortunately, Norman has a history of stepping up for our neighbors in times of struggle, and we stand resolved in that collective endurance. However, the state has a responsibility to this community which has provided critical access for so many services over the past century, and we are working to hold the state accountable to that. We continue to fight for accessible housing, mental health services, and for the founding notion of our country that all humans are created equal regardless of circumstance,” – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman

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