HB2040 Passes House

The Oklahoma House of Representatives just voted 67-25 to pass HB2040 (Nichols-D) with the amendments as filed and the title still on. CLICK HERE to read the amendment to the amendment. This amendment will increase annual funding to $10 million per year through 12/31/2027 and then funding will revert to $4 million per year through 12/31/2033.

The language for Page 3 Line 21 that prevented refundability or transferability has been amended to read: …”Such taxpayer may assign its interest in the investment, but the tax credit authorized by the provisions of this section shall not be refundable.”

If you would like to see how your Representative voted on this issue, CLICK HERE. Take a moment to thank your legislator for their support, or if they did not support, engage in more dialogue on the importance of affordable housing across the state.

Thank you to all the members who took action this week!

LEGISLATIVE CALL TO ACTION & REGISTER FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DAY

HB2870 (Wallace-R) will create several new funding sources for the production of housing – both for homeownership and rental – is scheduled to be heard on the House Floor as early as today. Please take a moment to contact your State Representative and request them to VOTE YES on HB2870! CLICK HERE to find your Representative.

REGISTER FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DAY, APRIL 17

Register now for the Annual Affordable Housing Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Monday, April 17, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. on the 4th Floor Rotunda. Affordable Housing Day provides a key opportunity to meet with your state Senator and Representative directly to educate them on your efforts to provide safe affordable housing in communities across Oklahoma. The Coalition’s goal is to advocate for continued support to develop affordable housing across the state. This day brings together Coalition members, housing advocates, legislators and other stakeholders together to discuss legislative issues affecting affordable housing in Oklahoma. Registration is free for Coalition members. This year, the Coalition will schedule meetings for members to meet with their Legislators. You must register by Wednesday, April 7 in order for Coalition staff to schedule your meeting.
Agenda – Monday, April 17
12:00-12:30 p.m. Registration
12:30-1:00 p.m. Required Advocacy Training
1:00-3:00 p.m. Meetings with Legislators REGISTER NOW!
SPONSOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DAY
Become the Registration or Coffee Bar Sponsor! Each sponsorship is $1,000. Other sponsor opportunities available. SPONSOR NOW!

HUD to reinstate 2013 disparate impact rule

The Department of Housing and Urban Development announced late last week it will re-codify the 2013 disparate impact rule, saying the rule “is more consistent with how the Fair Housing Act has been applied in the courts and in front of the agency for more than 50 years.”

The final rule will go into effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

HUD’s proposal would overturn a 2020 final rule that conformed the 2013 disparate impact rule with the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, which recognized disparate impact analysis to demonstrate discrimination claims under the FHA but added key limitations to ensure the burden of proof in disparate impact cases is with the plaintiffs. The 2020 final rule never took effect because a Massachusetts federal district court judge stayed the rule pending consideration of consumer advocates’ challenge to the rule as arbitrary and capricious.

HB2040 Update

It has been a busy day in the Oklahoma House of Representatives before tomorrow’s deadline. While the House is still in session and more things may happen this afternoon, we wanted to give our members a quick update on some key legislative issues that relate to affordable housing.

HB2040 (Nichols-D) has received another amendment this evening. CLICK HERE to read the amendment to the amendment. This amendment will increase annual funding to $10 million per year through 12/31/2027 and then funding will revert to $4 million per year through 12/31/2033.

The language for Page 3 Line 21 that prevented refundability or transferability has been amended to read: …”Such taxpayer may assign its interest in the investment, but the tax credit authorized by the provisions of this section shall not be refundable.”

We are hearing this bill will be heard on the House Floor tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more information and updates!

Legislative Update

It has been a busy day in the Oklahoma House of Representatives before tomorrow’s deadline. While the House is still in session and more things may happen this afternoon, we wanted to give our members a quick update on some key legislative issues that relate to affordable housing.

HB2040 (Nichols-D) was originally written to increase funding for the Oklahoma Affordable Housing Act from $4 million per year to $10 million per year, received an unnecessary amendment from Hilbert-R late this morning. This amendment inserts language that will prevent the tax credit from being refundable and transferable. The proposed amendment, which is perhaps an effort to disrupt passage of this legislation, also appears to be retroactive. The proposed amendment will reduce the effectiveness and the value of the Oklahoma Affordable Housing Act and must not be adopted. The tax credits must be transferable, at a minimum, to partners, members or shareholders.

With Oklahoma having a shortage of 67,548 housing units for households earning 50% or less of the Area Median Income, it is distressing to see legislative barriers to a successful program such as the Oklahoma Affordable Housing Act. The Oklahoma House of Representatives should pass HB2040 as originally written.

Tomorrow is the deadline for HB2040 to pass the House.

HB2870 (Wallace-R) which will create several new funding programs to be managed by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency for the production of housing for homeownership or rental, passed the House today 98-2. This bill will now move on to the Senate.

HB2109 which prohibits retaliation from landlord’s break of rental agreement has passed the House 71-23. The title has been stricken which means more work may be done to the bill prior to final passage.

Stay tuned for more information and updates!

Call For Action: HB2870 Scheduled for Floor on 3/2

HB2870 (Wallace-R) that will create several new funding sources for the production of housing – both for homeownership and rental – is scheduled to be heard on the House Floor as early as tomorrow. Please take a moment to contact your State Representative and request the VOTE YES on HB2870!

CLICK HERE to find your Representative.

Current status of measure(s) you are tracking:

HB2870 Rural housing; creating the Housing Stability Program; Homebuilder Program; Increased House Program; creating revolving funds; effective date; emergency.
3/21/2023 H Scheduled on Floor Calendar

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Note: "S" denotes Senate chamber; "H" denotes House chamber.

For more information on Oklahoma legislation, please visit our web site at http://www.oklegislature.gov.

Register Now for Affordable Housing Day – Monday, April 17

Register now for the Annual Affordable Housing Advocacy Day at the Capitol on Monday, April 17, from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. on the 4th Floor Rotunda.  Affordable Housing Day provides a key opportunity to meet with your state Senator and Representative directly to educate them on your efforts to provide safe affordable housing in communities across Oklahoma.