Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt has filed several bills aimed at improving housing accessibility in Oklahoma. SB275 proposes the creation of a Workforce Housing Commission to guide housing strategies, while SB938 seeks to provide municipalities with funds for local housing solutions. Kirt stated, "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," according to the Oklahoma State Senate.
Oklahoma has a shortage of more than 77,000 rental units for low-income workers, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition. The Kansas City Fed notes a "mismatch of supply and demand." Kirt introduced SB938, stating, "Local leaders who understand what their communities need are key to making this happen. That's why I introduced SB938," as reported by the Oklahoma State Senate.
SB275 is a bill aimed at improving housing affordability in Oklahoma by addressing gaps in the market with a data-driven approach. The proposal, currently under review, focuses on helping families of all income levels, especially those left out of past discussions. Representative Kirt emphasized, "We need smaller, more affordable homes for workers in many communities to help our economy grow," and stated, "By working together, state and local leaders can make better plans and laws for housing that will help more Oklahomans prosper," as stated by the Oklahoma State Senate.
