Sen. Kirt introduces bills to increase affordable housing

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt has filed a slate of bills to increase available affordable housing in the state. Oklahoma is 77,000 housing units short statewide for current workforce, even without increases in population. Almost a third of Oklahomans are cost-burdened when trying to pay for renting or owning a home, which holds back economic growth.

“The best way to address rising rents and home prices and reduce homelessness is to make sure people have more options for homes, but there’s a big shortage of affordable housing in Oklahoma,” said Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. “I’ve introduced three innovative bills to increase the availability of the types of housing Oklahomans need to thrive.” 

Senate Bill 1393 creates the RESTORE Program: Revitalizing Empty Structures Through Ownership, Renovation, and Enterprise. This legislation will create a tax credit for the adaptive reuse of dilapidated or abandoned buildings into workforce and affordable housing. 

Senate Bill 1332 creates THRIVE: The Targeted Housing and Responsible Infrastructure for Vital Economies Program. This creates a zero-interest loan program accessible by cities, towns and counties to support new water infrastructure needed for housing development.

Senate Bill 1545 involves a piece of legislation called YIGBY: Yes in God’s Backyard. The bill allows faith-based organizations to develop affordable housing as a use-by-right on their properties.

“These bills will help us increase housing that people can afford, improve neighborhoods, strengthen families and grow our economy. We’ll also cut red tape for faith organizations who want to help address the need for more housing,” Kirt said. “People with stable housing are more likely to stay in the workforce, and their children have the stability they need to do better in school. These would create Oklahoma’s own solutions to one of our biggest challenges.” 

Kirt’s affordable housing measures can be heard when the 2026 session convenes in February.

 -END- 

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