Housing Forward presented recommendations to state lawmakers on building codes, federal housing opportunities and faith-owned property.

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 15, 2026)— Housing Forward presented policy recommendations to state lawmakers Tuesday aimed at increasing workforce housing production and expanding housing options for Oklahoma families.

The recommendations were presented during an interim study before the Oklahoma Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee on public-private strategies to address the state’s housing supply challenges.

“Housing is an important part of the equation when we talk about growing Oklahoma’s economy and strengthening our workforce,” said Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville. “This study presented an opportunity to look at practical ways the public and private sectors can work together, remove unnecessary barriers to development and help ensure our communities have the housing they need to grow.”

Tyler Parette, executive director of Housing Forward, outlined ways to increase housing production through building code reforms, implementation of the federal 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and development of underutilized, faith-owned property.

“Oklahoma’s housing challenge won’t be solved by a single policy change, but there are practical steps we can take right now to make it easier to build the homes Oklahomans need,” said Parette. “From modernizing building codes to preparing for new federal housing opportunities, we have a chance to reduce barriers, encourage investment and expand housing choices in communities across the state.”

Recent building code reforms advanced by the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission would allow certain single-stair residential buildings, permit fourplexes under the residential code and right-size sprinkler requirements for smaller multifamily developments. The changes could encourage construction of ‘missing middle’ housing that can be difficult to build under current regulations.

The study also highlighted provisions of the recently enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. Housing Forward identified several potential next steps for the state, including establishing a statewide housing plan, modernizing manufactured housing regulations, expanding access to pre-approved housing plans and creating a comprehensive inventory of publicly owned land suitable for housing development.

The study also examined the role faith-based organizations could play in expanding the state’s housing supply. Research from Housing Forward found that congregations often own well-located land suitable for residential development but face barriers related to zoning, financing and development capacity. Policymakers discussed examples from other states that have adopted legislation to encourage housing development on faith-owned properties while maintaining affordability requirements and local standards.

“As Oklahoma communities grow, we have to make sure housing and infrastructure can grow with them,” said Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa. “That means looking for ways to remove barriers, give communities greater flexibility and bring private investment to the table. This study helps us identify solutions that can encourage development without unnecessarily shifting costs onto taxpayers.”

“We have the opportunity to approach housing as a shared challenge and bring together state policy, private investment and local leadership to increase the number of homes being built,” said Parette. “These are practical solutions that can help communities grow while giving more Oklahoma families access to housing they can afford.”