OKC Action Plan: Affordable Housing

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A family with one full-time worker earning the minimum wage can't afford the local fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Oklahoma City or anywhere else in the country.

2. Affordable Housing

2.A: Zoning, Ordinance and Development Policy Changes
2.B: Land Bank 501c3
2.C: Lien Forgiveness Program
2.D: Follow the Recommendations of the Affordable Housing Study

Affordable housing makes it possible for lower-income people and families to pay for food, clothing, transportation and medical care. Read the entire section here (pages 44-53 of the full report).

2.A: Zoning, Ordinance and Development Policy Changes

Oklahoma City and other metro areas need more housing, but people who attend local zoning meetings overwhelmingly oppose new housing -- in contrast to broad support for new housing in the larger populace. Overcoming opposition to zoning changes that support more, affordable housing units is key to supporting low-income families and people.

The City plan calls for inclusionary zoning practices, "affordable by design" development, reduction of permit costs and other reforms.

2.B: Land Bank 501c3

A land bank 501c3 is a publicly controlled nonprofit organization that stabilizes neighborhoods and encourages re-use or redevelopment of city property, primarily through managing abandoned property. A large-scale program can use earnings from more valuable land sales to help with properties in worse condition.

OKC's strategy is to establish and secure funding for a land bank.

2.C: Lien Forgiveness Program

Lien forgiveness programs can speed up the process to turn around an abandoned property by waiving many years of unpaid taxes or liens in exchange for the property's deed. A city can then offer the newly acquired public land to a developer, often at little or no cost, in exchange for a commitment to including affordable housing.

In Oklahoma City, a City-County partnership could establish a similar program to complement or be folded into a land bank.

2.D: Follow the Recommendations of the Affordable Housing Study

These strategies were developed at the same time as the City's in-progress Housing Affordability Study. The City should follow recommendations in both reports.

Read the full Affordable Housing section here (pages 44-53 of the full report).

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