Oklahoma County just landed a three-year, $900,000 opioid abatement grant that officials say will beef up recovery services, housing navigation and peer support for people caught up in the justice system. County leaders plan to pour the money into new case management and housing assistance at the Diversion Hub and partnering agencies, with the goal of cutting repeat jail stays by steering people toward treatment and stable housing instead of a revolving door at the jail.
The funding comes through the state’s opioid abatement grant program, overseen by the Oklahoma Opioid Abatement Board and administered by the Oklahoma Office of the Attorney General. According to the state’s grant guidance, the program channels opioid settlement dollars into evidence-based prevention, treatment and housing strategies, and is set up to support multi-year projects that can grow services over time. The board’s application materials spell out expectations for service models, reporting requirements and the three-year funding windows that are standard for these grants.
What the $900K Will Buy
As reported by The Journal Record, the county’s grant will underwrite case management, housing support and peer recovery services. That includes three new peer recovery support specialist positions at Diversion Hub’s Oklahoma City office, along with a Homeless Alliance housing navigator who will focus on people living with opioid use disorders and co-occurring mental health needs. Meagan Taylor, executive director of Diversion Hub, said, "We follow the data, which says that supported recovery is the most effective intervention," according to The Journal Record. County Commissioner Lowe has described the investment as a move toward support instead of punishment.
Local Numbers Show The Need
Diversion Hub’s own caseload offers a snapshot of why officials argue the new dollars are crucial. In 2025, the Oklahoma City office served 7,588 clients, and intake data showed heavy needs across the board, The Journal Record reports. Roughly 28 percent of clients self-disclosed substance use, 38 percent reported mental health concerns, 49 percent were dealing with housing instability and 79 percent reported no income. Since opening in 2020, the Diversion Hub has worked with more than 16,000 people, and county leaders say this latest grant is expected to reach at least 900 additional clients over the three-year span.
Where This Fits In Larger Efforts
The county’s award lines up with a housing push launched in March that created a multi-agency housing team tying together Diversion Hub, the Key to Home Partnership, Homeless Alliance and City Care to move justice-involved residents into permanent homes. Our earlier coverage broke down that $1.3 million initiative and the partners’ plans to ramp up on-site navigation and referrals (OKC nonprofits snag $1.3M). Local reporting by KOCO noted that partners expect hiring to start soon and that referrals will run through existing intake hubs such as the Homeless Alliance WestTown campus.
County officials say the immediate to-do list includes bringing the new peer specialists and the housing navigator on board, then cementing relationships with landlords so those referrals actually turn into signed leases. For a rundown of Diversion Hub’s current services and contact details, visit Diversion Hub.
