Housing Forward

What makes it hard to solve Oklahoma’s affordable housing dilemma? Research by the Urban Institute explored how Oklahoma uses a federal tax credit program and other challenges to building affordable housing in Tulsa.

Tulsa Flyer’s Ginnie Graham covered this week’s Urban Institute presentation, digging into how changes to state policies could improve the impact of housing development programs.

Read the full story: https://tulsaflyer.org/2026/03/05/business/post/affordable-housing-dilemma/

Today, Oklahoma housing leaders heard from Urban Institute on their LIHTC tax credit study.

📑Keep an eye out for more research on affordable housing's economic impact later this April.

Read our report summary here: https://ow.ly/y85K50YpUkH

Today @urbaninstitute.bsky.social published a report on the current state of affordable housing subsidies and related economic development incentives in Oklahoma. We’re excited to use this report to inform key policy changes to improve LIHTC development in Oklahoma.

Happening Tomorrow! Join our *free webinar* tomorrow to explore statewide findings and local data around housing demand, outcomes and supply with our housing data dashboard.
Register today: https://bit.ly/HF-Webinar

Housing Forward exists to deliver bold, innovative, practical solutions that expand access to housing across Oklahoma. Read about our latest policy and advocacy work on our website.

See how we’re translating research into action, and momentum into impact, in our 2025 Impact Report. https://ow.ly/ojcb50Yf9hi

New development proposed near Booker T. Washington Recreation Center in Sapulpa A new development proposal could soon bring housing, businesses, and renewed investment to an area near the Booker T. Washington Recreation Center in Sapulpa.

Sapulpa is looking to add more housing in a recently proposed mixed-development near Booker T. Washington Recreation Center.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/xn0O50Yf9z8

Register today for our upcoming webinar exploring our newly launched housing data dashboard and developer resources! Details below.

🗓️ Thursday, February 26, 11:30amCT-12:15pmCT.  
🎟️Register for the free virtual event: https://bit.ly/HF-Webinar

Our 2025 Impact Report is live and highlights our first year of progress, bringing data, policy, and partnerships together to expand housing access statewide.
🔗Read the report here: https://ow.ly/L9Eg50Y8RMq

Join us for a webinar exploring our newly launched housing data dashboard and developer resources.

🗓️ Thursday, February 26, 11:30amCT-12:15pmCT.  
🎟️Register for the free virtual event: https://bit.ly/HF-Webinar

New York developer aiming to restore and reimagine historic Philcade Building Plans call for creating a mixed-use, high-end development that would include an independent luxury hotel and more than 100 rental units.

A proposed reimagining of the downtown Tulsa Philcade building would add 115 rental residences and a 125-room luxury hotel, aiming to use Tax Increment Financing and a portion of Tulsa City Council's recently proposed hotel tax as part of their funding.
https://ow.ly/qVmG50Y0mYZ

The latest data from CoStar shows that rental cost growth continue to surpass national averages in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The data is clear, our housing shortage results in Oklahomans spending more on housing. https://ow.ly/eypU50Y0kvB

City seeking developers to build housing on Tulsa Development Authority properties Requests for proposals have been issued as the city continues to work on increasing Tulsa's overall housing stock, including 6,000 additional affordable housing units by 2028.

PartnerTulsa is looking for developers interested in building housing in under-developed areas of Tulsa.
Find out more below. https://ow.ly/Sg5350XXrXQ

1 in every 3 households in Oklahoma are housing cost burdened. Addressing the housing affordability challenge is a statewide opportunity.

Housing Forward is working to take housing data to policymakers to enact people-first policies that will ensure each Oklahoman has a place to call home.

Yes in My (Literal) Backyard: Unlocking Affordable Housing by Allowing ADUs in More Tulsa Neighborhoods — Housing Forward A growing national trend to expand housing affordability includes allowing for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADUs) to be built by-right by homeowners. ADUs are smaller units that property owners build on their lots, whether for their own household or to generate rental income.  Here in Tulsa in

A growing national trend to expand housing affordability includes allowing for ADUs to be built by-right by homeowners. 
Our latest blog post explores how the ADU approval process works in Tulsa and what policy opportunities can unlock more housing: https://ow.ly/JtN050XU19P

We're hiring!

We're looking for a Director of Housing Development to lead statewide efforts to strengthen housing development capacity by helping developers, municipalities, and partners navigate complex funding resources and programs.

Apply today:
https://ow.ly/hjG450XIsY5

Our research and data experts have been working hard to create an interactive data dashboard to provide all the latest data you might need for housing-related decisions.

Sign up for our newsletter to find out when it launches: https://ow.ly/ll2z50Wycm7

University of Oklahoma Hosts Inaugural Oklahoma Housing Supply Accelerator Coalition Event The University of Oklahoma’s Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture hosted the inaugural Oklahoma Housing Supply Accelerator Coalition event on November 13, 2025, a day-long gathering dedicated to addressing the state’s growing housing challenges and exploring solutions to expand the supply of attainable homes.

Housing Forward’s Ellen Ray recently spoke at University of Oklahoma's Housing Supply Accelerator Coalition event, highlighting the mismatch between Oklahoma’s household demographics and housing supply, housing tax credits and the need for housing at all stages of life.
https://ow.ly/mm7q50XCbnB

According to our research, one third of all Oklahoma households are housing cost burdened. We believe that through bold, innovative and practical solutions we can expand access to housing across Oklahoma.

$14 MILLION: Tulsa City Council approves housing funds During its Dec. 3 meeting, the Tulsa City Council approved $14 million for 'housing initiatives.' 2 News Oklahoma's Brodie Myers reports the details of the plan.

Yesterday Tulsa City Council approved the first round of funding from the 2023 Improve Our Tulsa voter-approved initiative and marks a step in the right direction toward investing public funds in housing.

Read more here: www.kjrh.com/news/local-n...

Housing Forward is working with Development Services to review those processes and implement improvements.

'We didn't do it right': New Tulsa Housing Impact Fund looks to rectify affordable housing woes Launched Nov. 19, 2025, a new Tulsa Housing Impact Fund is another effort to draw private investment to affordable housing in the Tulsa area.

Recently Mayor Monroe Nichols shared how the city of Tulsa is working behind the scenes to reduce barriers to housing development by streamlining the permitting process, mentioning the housing acceleration team.

National Zoning Atlas’ recent inclusion of NE Oklahoma shows that the predominant housing type allowed by right in Tulsa is single-family housing.

Reducing restrictive zoning and regulations will help our community build the kind of housing the market is demanding.

New Pew Charitable Trusts Repot on "How States and Cities Decimated Americans’ Lowest-Cost Housing Option" They have done so banning or severely restricting low-cost "single-room occupancy" (SRO) housing.

Recent research from Pew reveals how banning low-cost single room occupancy has reduced affordable housing options nationally.

It’s time to bring back affordable housing options that used to be available so more Oklahomans can find a home that meets their needs. https://ow.ly/rEIY50XtCWC

At Housing Forward, we believe data is the key to creating communities where everyone has the freedom to live in a home that fits their needs, their life, and their future.

Are you already signed up to get updated on our events, advocacy work and more? https://ow.ly/ll2z50Wycm7

Can states, and a little bit of faith, convert church land into affordable housing? • Oklahoma Voice Yes In God’s Backyard? Some states hope so. Lawmakers see the potential for much-needed housing on church-owned land.

In Tulsa, there are approx. 2,000 acres of land owned by faith-based organizations. By allowing faith-based organizations to repurpose underutilized land without overly burdensome rezoning process, our community can produce housing that meets our needs.
https://ow.ly/gJ0t50Xo786

Recent research from Pew Research Center shows that modern apartments are six times safer from fire deaths than single-family homes. It's time to make policy changes ensuring we can build more homes for more Oklahomans.

Read more: https://ow.ly/QuPq50Xo6Tu

Denver study shows removing parking requirements results in more affordable housing being built Structured parking can cost as much as $50,000 per space, making housing more expensive to build and for those living there.

A new study out of Denver shows that removing mandatory parking minimums can lead to more affordable housing being built.

By eliminating costly parking mandates, we can focus on creating homes that better meet community needs.
https://ow.ly/e7Lv50Xm3H7

Housing Forward Joins Interim Study on Regulatory Barriers to Workforce Housing — Housing Forward On Thursday, October 9, 2025, Housing Forward’s Executive Director Tyler Parette participated in an interim study hosted by Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, discussing the regulatory barriers to workforce hous...

Housing Forward joined Rep. Suzanne Schreiber’s interim study to discuss how outdated regulations are slowing down workforce housing development in Oklahoma.

🏛️Learn how policy changes can help us build more homes—without compromising safety here: ow.ly/X3Ot50Xl2r1

A big thank you to everyone who joined us for last week’s Small Scale Development Workshop!

🏘️ Tulsa’s housing shortage is a challenge we can meet together. This workshop sparked important conversations about how our community can embrace creative, incremental approaches to housing development.