Tulsa, Okla. – In an effort to tackle Tulsa’s teacher retention crisis and housing affordability challenges, Green Country Habitat for Humanity (GCHFH) and Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) have launched an innovative initiative to support educators in achieving homeownership.
The “Education Begins with Home” program will provide qualifying TPS teachers with up to $50,000 in down payment assistance through a $5 million fund, ensuring long-term stability for educators and strengthening the community.
The initiative is designed to recruit and retain certified teachers in Tulsa by making homeownership more attainable, offering financial education, and fostering community investment.
Program Details
Teachers accepted into the Habitat for Humanity homebuyer program must meet income requirements, complete homebuyer education courses, and contribute sweat equity hours—just as any other Habitat homeowner would. The down payment assistance, fully forgivable after five years of mortgage payments, will allow teachers to build home equity and achieve financial security.
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols emphasized the program’s potential impact, stating:
“Owning a stable, affordable home is the foundation of success—not just for families, but for our entire community, including our teachers. By helping Tulsa Public Schools teachers purchase homes and build equity, we are investing in the future of Tulsa—one classroom, one family, and one home at a time.”
TPS Superintendent Dr. Ebony Johnson highlighted the program’s significance in addressing teacher retention: “Teachers are the foundation of our educational system, and stable housing is a cornerstone of building careers and livelihoods in Tulsa. This program illustrates how our community is backing our educators and investing in our young people.”
GCHFH President and CEO Cameron Walker echoed this sentiment, noting the program’s ripple effect: “When teachers have access to safe, affordable homes, it creates lasting positive change—improving education outcomes, fostering community growth, and empowering families for generations.”
A Community-Driven Solution
The “Education Begins with Home” program directly addresses the financial barriers that prevent many educators from owning homes, an issue that has contributed to teacher shortages in Tulsa and beyond. With at least 100 educators expected to benefit, the initiative represents a groundbreaking step toward stabilizing the local teaching workforce while fostering a deeper connection between teachers and the communities they serve.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply, visit www.greencountryhabitat.org/education.
For those interested in supporting the initiative, contact: Rob Gardenhire Vice President of Development, Green Country Habitat for Humanity. Rgardenhire@greencountryhabitat.org (918) 592-4224, Ext. 107.