OKLAHOMA CITY –Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa, hosted an interim study on Thursday on the impact of building code revisions to encourage the development of workforce housing. “Thank you to our local experts for joining us at the State Capitol to better inform members on how we can improve the paths to building the kind of safe, quality housing our workforce and families need,” Schreiber said. “This is just the beginning of this conversation, and I look forward to the work we can do together.” The study explored collaborative and comprehensive solutions and included presentations from the Cindy Giedraitis with the National Fire Sprinkler Association, Mark Tackett with Oklahoma Fire Sprinkler Association, Mark Gandy American Institute of Architects, Oklahoma Chapter, David Adcock of the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission, Austin Tunnell of Building Culture, Oklahoma State Fire Marshal Keith Bryant, and Tyler Parette with Housing Forward, the executive director of a statewide non-profit using data and policy to advancing housing preservation and expansion in Oklahoma. The study explored data on the needs for workforce housing and the gaps across the state in meeting the need for those seeking housing for one to two occupants. The discussion explored fire safety and where regulations applicable to larger multi-unit dwellings may not be needed. Participants acknowledged that despite market demands the regulatory environment is sometimes cost-prohibitive for the needed smaller multi-units dwellings. “We want Oklahomans to stay, live, and work here–and we want to welcome anyone who wants to come to our great state–but we have got to have places for these folks to live. Quality workforce housing is desperately needed across the state and that requires a regulatory environment that is willing to move quickly with that need,” Schreiber said. “We have developers, builders, and businesses across the state that want to help meet the needs with safety and quality, but they are challenged with burdensome processes and with unnecessary regulations.” Legislators, housing and workforce advocates, and industry leaders can collaborate to remove cost barriers while maintaining the safety of Oklahomans. -END-
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, and Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman, released the following joint statement after the announcement of HUB 107 being consolidated into the Alameda location of Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center: “On October 7, we were informed of the decision by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to fold the services of HUB 107 into the Alameda location of Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center by October 17. “Since 2022, HUB 107 has operated under COCMH as a peer-led, immediate resource center to the general public regardless of housing situation. “We’ve been further informed that continued services will include food, clothing, pet supplies, and vaccinations — and that COCMH staff are actively seeking other partners to assist with laundry and shower services but will not provide them regularly. Additionally, HUB 107 staff will retain their employment. “We are communicating with the agencies about the effects of this transition, and, while we appreciate the retention of staff and continuation of most services, we have the following concerns: — The loss of hygiene resources for our unhoused neighbors is an issue of personal and public health. Prioritizing short term savings over public safety will have long term consequences that affect everyone. — The loss of a day drop center will affect and potentially disrupt the work of neighboring state resources such as COCMH and Griffin Hospital. — HUB 107 has served as a buffer between our unhoused community and our downtown area business and homeowners. The loss of this buffer could result in more public incidents. — ODMHSAS already owns the HUB 107 building, so annual savings will not dig the Department out of the overwhelming financial hole created during the Governor’s past appointments. — Less than two weeks' notice of closure is not a responsible approach to shifting resources and guiding a population. “Many members of the Legislature have shown willingness to supplement ODHMSAS through this struggle, but the Governor’s continued insistence upon 'flat budgets' and his war of words against 'goody two shoes' appears to be in the way of public health and safety. And while the Governor groans openly about the state of his own publicly subsidized mansion, diminishing a resource that serves entire communities only perpetuates negative cycles of public health and poverty. “Short term savings rarely result in long term gains. The financial woes of ODMHSAS are highly publicized and will be taken out, in part, on our community. Fortunately, Norman has a history of stepping up for our neighbors in times of struggle, and we stand resolved in that collective endurance. However, the state has a responsibility to this community which has provided critical access for so many services over the past century, and we are working to hold the state accountable to that. We continue to fight for accessible housing, mental health services, and for the founding notion of our country that all humans are created equal regardless of circumstance,” – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, Rep. Jared Deck, D-Norman, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman -END-
OKLAHOMA CITY – Tuesday, Rep. Annie Menz, D-Norman, Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. John Waldron, D-Tulsa, conducted an interim study on childhood hunger in Oklahoma and its impacts. Officials from Hunger Free Oklahoma, Norman Public Schools, Seminole Public Schools, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, OU Health, and Mission: Readiness, as well as the Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture presented during the study. The study revealed many findings about the state of childhood hunger in Oklahoma and explored potential solutions. It showed that 64% of Oklahoma families qualify for free/reduced lunches and that one in four children in Oklahoma are food insecure. Oklahoma ranks 46th in the nation for food insecurity. The study also found that food insecurity in teens has a negative impact on their mental health, which increases the risk of suicide and other mental health struggles. “Food insecurity has lasting health costs for our state,” said Pogemiller. “When we expand access to SNAP, school meals, and summer feeding, we invest in healthier kids and stronger communities.” Oklahoma is not alone in its battle against childhood hunger. According to the study, 77% of America's youth can't meet the physical qualifications for military service, making childhood malnutrition a national security threat. “Investing in solutions to childhood hunger isn’t just feeding children, it’s fueling the future,” said Menz. “Every meal given today nourishes a mind, strengthens a community, and builds a more prosperous society for us all.” The study showed there are efforts in place to combat this, such as Oklahoma farmers supplementing feeding programs in the state. The Oklahoma Department of Ag's "Local Food 4 Schools" program also helps keep food quality high for feeding programs. The study explored that a large portion of schools in the state are eligible to leverage federal funding to expand their free lunch programs, but they are not doing it because they would still have to pay for part of it and they can't afford it. One solution offered during the study was the formation of a task force with the goal of providing great quality meals in schools with no costs to families. “School’s lunch and breakfast programs are a win-win,” said Waldron. “Feeding kids boosts health and nutrition, behavior and test scores. Oklahoma is a farm state where no child should go hungry. I’m glad the Chairman wants a bipartisan task force to produce ways to improve school nutrition.” You can view the entire study on the Oklahoma House of Representatives website. -END-