Boulders spread underneath overpasses and bridges throughout Oklahoma City are stirring up debate online about the best strategies to tackle homelessness.
Large rocks have been placed on both sides of the sidewalk underneath the Oklahoma City Boulevard bridge crossing Western Avenue. Officials said the rocks are meant to prevent people from sleeping under the bridge or setting up tents at the location.
Many critics have blasted the move as anti-homeless and an example of what is sometimes called “hostile architecture,” a design strategy meant to limit the use of public spaces. Other terms used by critics include “defensive architecture” or “exclusionary design,” which detractors say targets the homeless population specifically.
But staff with the local Key to Home program, a public-private partnership working to dramatically reduce unsheltered homelessness in Oklahoma City, said the decision stemmed from concerns about safety.
Why is Oklahoma City using large rocks underneath bridges?
Jamie Caves, the city’s homeless strategy implementation manager, said Key to Home moved 27 people from the site into supportive housing.
“We don’t ever take any measures like that without housing people first,” Caves said. “Additionally, this location is particularly dangerous because it’s really close to a busy street, and there’s just not much in the way of that grassy area and the street.”
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Since launching in 2023, Key to Home has worked to coordinate resources from over 50 agencies to address the growing homelessness crisis in the city. So far, the public-private partnership has housed 333 people toward a 500-person goal by the end of 2025.
“Really, we believe that everyone deserves safe housing and that nobody should have to sleep under a bridge,” Caves said. “We’re working to move through the city one camp at a time to close locations, move people into housing, provide stabilization support that they need, and then move onto the next site so that people can have their basic needs met.”
Has OKC used rocks under bridges as a deterrent before?
This is not the first time the use of large rocks as a deterrent has been seen in OKC. In late 2023, the open bridge space under Interstate 44 crossing Pennsylvania Avenue was cleared of campers, and concrete barriers and rocks were then placed there to prevent further camping.
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation also placed concrete blocks on abutments at Interstate 35 over SE 44 and under Interstate 40 crossing Eastern Avenue, as well.
Large rocks fill an underpass Nov. 25 on Pennsylvania Avenue in Oklahoma City.
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Most bridges are state-owned, but the major difference this time, Caves explained, is that the Oklahoma City Boulevard bridge over Western Avenue is owned by the city. Caves was unsure of the final cost for placement of the large rocks, believing that the work was not 100% complete, but told The Oklahoman she would see if an estimate could be provided.
In the meantime, potential plans for artwork, additional lighting and other beautification efforts at the bridge site have been discussed, but have not yet been officially slated.
“I appreciate all of the opinions and understanding different people’s perspectives,” Caves said. “We’re just trying to balance the needs of the community and ensure that we are always focusing all services on people that are unhoused and especially vulnerable in our community.”
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How have homeless advocates responded?
In a statement shared with The Oklahoman, the local Homeless Alliance, a “proud partner” with Key to Home, praised the public-private partnership’s work in rehousing the people previously experiencing homelessness under the bridge.
“However, the use of boulders and other hostile architecture that seek to prevent their return only shifts the problem without addressing its root causes,” said Meghan Mueller, CEO of the Homeless Alliance. “Our focus remains connecting people to stable housing and long-term support, not just pushing them out of sight. Every person deserves the dignity and opportunity to build a future in a safe home, and thankfully the 27 people who were living under this bridge now have that.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: ‘Hostile architecture’ in OKC stirs debate: What to know