Oklahoma has agreed to spend up to $800,000 to house about 40 people after Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Operation SAFE — a shift from his earlier opposition to using tax dollars for homelessness housing.
Oklahoma organizations serving abused children and domestic violence survivors have lost up to 80% of their federal support, even as demand continues to rise.
Bills filed ahead of the 2026 session would let residents sue cities over camping enforcement, expand tenant protections and make it easier to build affordable housing.
The measure would require state health officials to create and enforce health and safety standards for shelters. Providers say they are already subject to federal and local rules.
The proposal would provide at least $3 million in state funding to keep the free, statewide hotlines operating around the clock amid rising food and housing insecurity.
The state has one of the quickest processes in the country, churning out nearly a quarter of a million eviction filings over the past five years.
A temporary loss of SNAP benefits during the federal government shutdown left Oklahoma families scrambling to cover rent.
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