Sen. Kirt’s affordable housing bill clears first hurdle

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to increase the availability of housing in Oklahoma has cleared its first legislative hurdle. Senate Bill 1393, by Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, creates the Revitalizing Empty Structures Through Ownership, Renovation, and Enterprise (RESTORE) Program. 

“We simply don’t have enough housing in our state – especially affordable housing. At the same time, we know in every community, there are dilapidated or abandoned buildings that could start contributing to local vitality,” said Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. “My bill creates a tax credit so we can help owners turn dilapidated buildings into homes for hard-working Oklahomans.” 

The legislation was approved with bipartisan support in the Revenue and Taxation Committee and will next be considered by Senate Appropriations Committee. 

“We need another 100,000 housing units to meet our current population growth,” Kirt said. “RESTORE will improve neighborhoods and downtown areas by converting these abandoned buildings into housing that people can afford. Those properties are already connected to city infrastructure, so they have great advantages for cost-effective redevelopment. It’s an investment in our communities that will help folks thrive – and that’s good for our entire state.”  

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