Sen. Kirt files bills to increase access to good housing

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt has filed a suite of bills to increase availability of homes in communities across Oklahoma. She filed bills focused on keeping home development economically viable in all parts of the state and to encourage local leadership to address the housing shortage. SB275 would create the Workforce Housing Commission to inform state strategies for the housing market. SB938 would create a grant program for municipalities to establish comprehensive housing strategies. 

“Everyone needs a safe place to live for their health and prosperity and our state has serious shortages in houses for working Oklahomans. We need to work smarter on this growing problem since many communities and working Oklahomans are left out,” said Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. “I filed SB275 to get us on the same page about gaps in the housing market so we can do real problem solving to address Oklahomans’ needs.” 

Oklahoma is more than 77,000 rental units short for low-income workers according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The Kansas City Fed has reported a “mismatch of supply and demand.” Economic developers are concerned about housing availability and how it could limit economic growth across the state.  

“We need smaller, more affordable homes for workers in many communities to help our economy grow,” Kirt said. “Local leaders who understand what their communities need are key to making this happen. That’s why I introduced SB938, which would set up grants for local housing strategies that work for families of all income levels, especially those families left out now. By working together, state and local leaders can make better plans and laws for housing that will help more Oklahomans prosper.” 

Both bills are available for hearing in the Senate Economic Development, Workforce, and Tourism Committee.  

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