Housing Forward Speaks on Housing Affordability in Sen. Kirt’s Interim Study
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Housing Forward Executive Director Tyler Parette presented on the state of housing in Oklahoma during an interim study hosted by Senators Julia Kirt and Chuck Hall. The session, held by the Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee, discussed sources of the state's housing shortage and identifying policy solutions to address it. Tyler was joined by Dan Kassik, Planning Director for the City of Guthrie, and Kyla Guyette, CEO of the Oklahoma Workforce Commission.
Senator Kirt began the session acknowledging previous studies on housing with Sen. Hall and the importance of understanding the economic impacts and sources of the housing shortage in Oklahoma.
During his presentation, Tyler Parette highlighted that many families in Oklahoma are finding that their children are unable to afford a place to live as they move into early adulthood and beyond. "Across the housing spectrum of owners and renters alike, one out of every three people in Oklahoma are paying more than 30% of their income to have stable housing," he shared. He also discussed how not only are we underproducing housing for our community, housing stock and household demographics are mismatched, resulting in households competing for a home and paying more of their income to a home that is larger than their needs. As a state, we have the opportunity to address this housing affordability and availability crisis by putting forward state and municipal policies that can reduce regulatory burden and costs to development. “There are policy decisions we could change that would help lower costs,” citing examples of policy improvements such as allowing for smaller minimum lot sizes, reducing parking minimums for residential land, and re-evaluating zoning for residential land in commercial areas and permitting the development of ‘gentle density’ in more urban and suburban areas.
“Everyone needs a home. Oklahoma has an important role to play to make sure housing limitations don’t hinder our economic development,” said Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. “The state must work with cities to increase workforce housing and improve opportunities for families in every community.”
Housing Forward thanks Senators Kirt and Hall for inviting Housing Forward to share our data-driven insights on the housing shortage in our region and present on the policy changes our state can make in order to make sure housing remains accessible for every Oklahoman.
In Case You Missed It
Senator Kirt’s Press Release
“Sen. Kirt’s housing study shows need for state-municipal cooperation”
Published October 9, 2025 – https://oksenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-kirts-housing-study-shows-need-state-municipal-cooperationKOCO 5 News Coverage
“Oklahoma lawmakers explore solutions to affordable housing crisis”
Published October 8, 2025 – https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-affordable-housing-crisis-solutions-interim-study/68919826Study Announcement
“Sen. Kirt and Sen. Hall Announce Interim Study on Housing”
Published October 4, 2025 – https://oksenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sen-kirts-housing-study-shows-need-state-municipal-cooperationReplay Available
Visit https://oksenate.gov, select “Live Proceedings,” and locate the October 8, 10:45 a.m. Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee meeting.