This article was taken from the The Journal Record.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislators on Tuesday received an update on the housing stability program and examined ways to further address the housing crisis in Oklahoma.
State Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, and state Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, organized the study to explore the development of and access to affordable housing. They say the Business and Commerce Committee study will help them determine how to direct their focus with legislation pertaining to this ongoing issue in next year’s legislative session.
“We’ve been working for the last several months with many stakeholders and partners in housing to try to identify opportunities for the state of Oklahoma to put ourselves on a good path when it comes to affordable housing and workforce housing,” Bennett said.
Program nears end of public comment period
The committee learned the latest on the development of a program designed to help address the long-standing housing shortage in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Legislature looks to build off momentum created from the passage of House Bill 1031X during the 2023 special session that ran concurrently with the regular session. The bill appropriated $215 million for the creation of the Oklahoma Housing Stability Program.
The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency is the program administrator. Agency Housing Development Director Darrell Beavers said they split the state funds into three initiatives.
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