Zoned Out: How Local Laws Are Compounding Oklahoma’s Housing Crisis
Oklahomans are zoned out.
That’s what Heather Warlick reported after learning that zoning ordinances are significant contributors to a housing crisis that’s left the state short on multifamily housing.
According to an Oklahoma Policy Institute study, households earning less than $18 per hour can’t afford a two-bedroom apartment. That affects a lot of single parents working in food service, teaching assistants, health care and other jobs that come in well below $18 per hour.
As Heather reported, residential land is disproportionately skewed toward single-family zoning, particularly in Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. In Norman, 98% of residential land is zoned for single-family homes; in Oklahoma City, 96% and in Tulsa, 81% of residential land is zoned exclusively for single-family dwellings.
That’s left the state short by 77,000 lower-income housing units. That can lead to higher rents, more evictions, and increased homelessness.
California, Oregon, and Washington have banned single-family zoning, as has the city of Minneapolis, which might be the model for successfully incorporating more housing that’s affordable to lower-income workers.
More worth reading:
House, Senate Close to Budget Deal
House Speaker Charles McCall on Monday said he hopes to get a state budget agreement this week. But the House and Senate do not have an agreement on a possible income tax cut. [Oklahoma Voice]
Governor Withdraws Zumwalt Nomination
The nomination of Shelly Zumwalt, embattled director of the state’s tourism department, to be Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, has been withdrawn from consideration. [The Oklahoman]
Emergency Declared in 12 Counties
Oklahomans on Monday were digging through the rubble of homes and businesses after at least 34 tornadoes ripped through the state. The weekend storms left four dead and more than 100 injured. [Oklahoma Voice]
From 1950 through 2023, Oklahoma County had more tornadoes (130) than any other county in the state, followed closely by Caddo County (128).
Ciao for now,
Ted Streuli
Executive Director, Oklahoma Watch
tstreuli@oklahomawatch.org