Oklahoma Senate Discusses Evictions in Affordable Housing Study
In Oklahoma City, the State Senate Judiciary Committee convened for a comprehensive dialogue addressing the dire state of affordable rental housing in Oklahoma. The meeting came about at the behest of state Sen. Julia Kirt, a Democrat from Oklahoma City, and state Sen. Chuck Hall, a Republican from Perry. They brought forward an interim study that tackled the shortage of safe and budget-friendly rental homes in the state, scrutinized the impact of additional funding aimed at increasing housing availability, and discussed the ripple effects caused by housing instability.
Kirt drew attention to the abysmal living conditions in many housing complexes within her district. She emphasized Oklahoma’s unsettling distinction as one of the states with the highest eviction rates in the country. According to Eviction Lab, Oklahoma City itself ranks as the 20th highest evicting city in the U.S., with Tulsa faring even worse at 11th place.
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau paints a bleak picture, revealing that approximately 47,000 renters in Oklahoma were on the verge of eviction as of 2022. Bryce Lowery, an associate professor at the University of Oklahoma College of Architecture, noted that a staggering 401,000 Oklahomans are devoting more than 30% of their income to housing, pushing them into what’s termed as “rent burden.” This is particularly striking for individuals earning between $35,000 and $50,000, close to Oklahoma’s median salary range.
Lowery outlined policy options that spanned increasing the housing supply, diversifying types of available housing, and implementing minimum safety standards for rental properties. He criticized the state’s focus on constructing new, single-family homes while the demand for affordable rentals remains unmet. Moreover, he raised concerns about Oklahoma’s lax regulatory environment, which has resulted in a surge of out-of-state property owners exploiting the lack of oversight.
During the discussion, Ginny Bass Carl, executive director of Community Cares Partners, and Amy Coldren, CEO of Shelterwell, underscored the far-reaching consequences of housing instability. Coldren pointed out that the eviction process in Oklahoma is alarmingly swift, often compelling tenants to vacate their homes within just 48 hours. A recent survey from Shelterwell revealed that 76% of tenants facing eviction in Oklahoma County are minorities, and 65% are women.
Carl argued that combating housing instability calls for a synergistic public-private approach. She suggested extending the eviction timeline and increasing eviction filing fees. Meanwhile, Coldren stressed that providing stable housing would lead to better educational and occupational outcomes, strengthening not just individuals but communities as well.
State Sen. Chuck Hall, who spearheaded the Oklahoma Housing Stability Program during the 2022 legislative session, concluded the meeting by acknowledging the issue as one of supply and demand. “This study has given us valuable insights from several experts,” he said. “As we move forward, we’ll keep these insights in mind to strengthen our families, communities, and the entire state.”
Overall, the meeting sent a strong signal that affordable housing and eviction issues can no longer be pushed to the sidelines, as they are intricately tied to the broader well-being of Oklahomans.
