Housing Forward Speaks on Opportunities for Workforce Housing Policy in Sen. Gollihare’s Interim Study
Last week Housing Forward had the opportunity to participate in [...]
Last week Housing Forward had the opportunity to participate in [...]
Housing Forward presented recommendations to state lawmakers on building codes, [...]
Why Oklahoma Needs a NOAH & Stabilization Strategy Now [...]
This week marked a regulatory milestone for missing middle housing in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC) advanced several building code reforms: legalizing single-stair buildings up to four stories, allowing four-unit homes to be built under residential code requirements, and matching sprinkler standards to the scale of small apartment buildings. These changes reflect Housing Forward's research and policy recommendations.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act establishes a new federal framework for housing policy nationwide and marks a generational opportunity for addressing Oklahoma’s housing needs. The bill aims to expand housing supply, reduce regulatory barriers, and lower costs for families, all while preserving local control.
Building codes are the quiet infrastructure of housing policy. Updating outdated code provisions is one of the most direct ways to expand housing supply and choice in Oklahoma, and it does so without compromising the life-safety and accessibility outcomes that protect residents.
Allowing more ADUs to be built would unlock significant additional acreage for new housing units - while allowing property owners to do more with their own land and freeing up City resources.
Removing regulatory barriers can unlock workforce housing, boost economic growth, and create new development opportunities across Oklahoma.
Housing Forward shared statewide housing data and policy solutions with legislators to address affordability, zoning barriers, and development feasibility.
Building on smaller lots lowers construction costs and supports more affordable housing—without adding pressure to city infrastructure.