Affordable and Workforce Housing
The critical shortage of affordable housing is now a top issue across the nation. The lack of homes for sale or rent impacts both rural and urban residents. The shortage of available homes and the costs to build them has led to significant increases in rents and new construction housing.
Terminology
Generally, the terms “affordable housing” and “workforce housing” are interchangeable. The Department of Housing and Urban Development defines affordable housing as housing on which the occupant is paying no more than 30 percent of gross income for housing costs. The Urban Land Institute defines workforce housing as housing that is affordable to households earning 60 to 120 percent of the area median income.
Resources
Assessing the Urban Vacant Land Potential for Infill Housing: A Case Study in Oklahoma City, USA
Published in September of 2023, this study by the University of Oklahoma Division of Architecture and Division of Plann, Landscape Architecture and Design, this study assesses vacant land in Oklahoma City’s urban core and its potential for housing development.
Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency: Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency
Published in August of 2023, this study looks at the three main programs for housing development and rental assistance administered by OHFA. The study also assesses the state’s current housing needs and strategies to fill those needs in rural and urban Oklahoma communities.
