Last week Housing Forward had the opportunity to participate in Sen. Gollihare (R-Kellyville) and House Rep. Lawson’s (R-Sapulpa) legislative interim study, “Increasing Workforce Housing Production.” Tyler Parette, Housing Forward’s Executive Director, presented to state lawmakers during the session, providing an update on building code reform, sharing opportunities for Oklahoma following the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, and previewed Urban Institute’s upcoming report on faith-based housing (research commissioned by Housing Forward).  

Also joining the interim study were Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission’s Chief Executive Officer, David Adcock, MCP Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency’s Housing Development Programs Director, Darrell Beavers, and Manufactured Housing Association of Oklahoma’s Executive Director, Deanna Fields. 

Tyler began his presentation mentioning other housing related interim studies (from land banks to smaller lot sizes as a starter home opportunity) and the scale of housing access needed in Oklahoma. Tyler shared how Oklahoma continues to drop in homeownership rates nationally, now ranked at #41, and the various levers that policymakers can use to address the need, “there is a lot of opportunity to improve the environment to increase workforce housing to meet the needs of Oklahomans across the state.”  

As the Oklahoma Legislature prepares for the next session in February, Housing Forward will continue working with lawmakers to turn these opportunities into policy. Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed. 

In Case You Missed It 

• Housing Forward Highlights Opportunities to Expand Workforce Housing in Senate Interim Study, Housing Forward, September 15, 2026 

• Oklahoma experts push new housing policies to address rising costs and low homeownership, KJRH 2 News, September 15, 2026 

• Oklahoma lawmakers discuss workforce housing strategy, The Journal Record, September 15, 2026 

• Replay Available: Visit oksenate.gov/room-535, select “Recordings,” and locate the September 15, 10:00 a.m. Senate Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism Committee meeting.