Sen. Kirt files bill to give tenants more warning before evictions; measure aimed at preventing homelessness, additional costs to taxpayers

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma has one of the shortest eviction timelines in the United States, and the majority of those facing homelessness are families with children. Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation to give people more time to come up with rent money or find a new place to live.

Senate Bill 1575 would extend the window for setting an eviction trial to 10 business days and extend the timeline for notice of a trial to a week.

“Giving tenants a little more time to figure out their next step, whether it is coming up with their rent money or another place to live, can help reduce homelessness, and that’s better for families, taxpayers and our economy,” Kirt said.

Kirt said one of the root causes of homelessness is eviction, and Oklahoma City and Tulsa have some of the highest rates of eviction in the country, ranked 20^th and 11^th respectively. The resulting instability from homelessness can make it more difficult for adults to keep their jobs and can undermine their children’s ability to stay in and do well in school. Having been evicted can also present barriers to obtaining housing in the future, with studies showing a prior eviction is more concerning to landlords when screening a prospective tenant than job insecurity, criminal history or income. Evictions are also expensive for landlords and taxpayers.

“A process that can take weeks in other states is just days in Oklahoma and can result in families ending up on the streets – something we saw playing out in some 300 families facing eviction the week of Christmas in Oklahoma County,” Kirt said. “Homelessness also results in increased reliance on programs funded by taxpayers and nonprofits. We’re not giving tenants a free pass but giving them just a few more days can result in a better outcome for all the stakeholders.”

Kirt’s legislation can be considered when the 2024 legislative session convenes February 5.

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Julia Kirt at 405-521-5636 or Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov