It is that time of year when Oklahoma City leaders and departments begin drafting the budget for 2025.

OKCMAR is encouraging and relying on our members to become informed and actively advocate for funding programs that support increased housing across the metro. Given the forecasted slowdown in sales tax revenue, your voice is crucial. Responding to the forecast, City Manager Craig Freeman has called for a slight decrease in every department's budget.

Oklahoma City has created a great website for residents to provide feedback on the budget: vision.okc.gov/budget-feedback. There are several areas in which the City can invest more to support housing and other OKCMAR priorities. Some of those issues are: 



• Increasing investment in affordable housing
• Providing more funding for homeless programs
• Investing in urban infield and neighborhood beautification

Remember: your feedback is not just important. It's essential. Your voice can shape the budget and the future of our city. Make sure to make your voice heard! 

OKCMAR Policy leaders presented the significant benefits of the proposed ADU ordinance at the May 9th OKC Planning Commission meeting. They jointly provided data and agreements supporting the need for the ADU ordinance, highlighting its potential to enhance housing options and support social benefits.

OKCMAR Policy Chair Sarah Casey led a contingent of OKCMAR members, including Gary Caplinger, Nick Singer, Government Affairs Chair Glen Cosper and Vice Chair Jessica Thompson. Casey stated, “It was important for the Planning Commission to know that REALTORS® are dedicated to advancing housing in the OKC market. This is especially true for affordable housing, where the city is losing ground. ADU is one of the ways that we can quickly start addressing the affordable housing needs across the metro."

The proposed change would allow attached or detached units to be built conditionally in certain residential zoning districts, specifically from NW 63 to SW 59 between Interstate 35 and I-44. This is just the beginning, as it could be extended to other areas of Oklahoma City later as planners continue work to update and replace the city’s zoning code.

• Many neighborhoods in that area already have accessory dwellings, which the existing zoning code does not support
• It would incentivize development in the core to meet planokc (comprehensive plan) adaptokc (sustainability plan), and preserveokc (historic preservation plan) goals of less driving and more walkability
• Increased infill development is desirable
• ADUs are already allowed on a case-by-case basis by the Oklahoma City Planning Commission and Oklahoma City Council
• Currently there is no uniformity or predictability for neighbors or developers

Oklahoma City residents are invited to review the draft accessory dwelling ordinance and other information at tinyurl.com/OKCADU and submit feedback by emailing codeupdate@okc.gov.

“Changing the development code to allow backyard cottages will expand the city’s housing capacity, create affordable housing options, support home ownership, and promote social benefits such as caring for an elderly parent,” said the City's Assistant Planning Director Lisa Chronister. “We want residents' input on the proposal before we take it to council for approval early this summer.”

The next public hearing on the ADU ordinance is scheduled before the Oklahoma City Planning Commission at 1:30 PM on June 13th at City Hall. Then, planners will take their recommendation to the Oklahoma City Council for three hearings this summer, with dates to be determined.

This past week, REALTORS® from around the US descended upon our nation's capital to advocate for issues facing the industry. Oklahoma REALTORS® met with all the members of the federal delegation. OKCMAR leaders had a productive meeting with US Senators James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin, as well as House of Representatives members Stephanie Bice, Frank Lucas, and Tom Cole. The topics members advocated for were: 



• Ensuring the VA Home Loan program remains strong, allowing active duty and veteran buyers access to the benefits promised to them for their service and sacrifice to their county. Under current VA regulations, buyers cannot pay for professional representation such as a REALTOR®, putting them a step behind competing offers. REALTORS® urged members of Congress to pressure the VA to change this regulation because veterans deserve representation from a REALTOR® in the biggest purchase of their lives.

• Increasing housing affordability and access, REALTORS® know all too well that the housing supply is not where it needs to be. REALTOR® members urge legislators to support the following legislation that would increase the housing supply, provide incentives to build and maintain current housing, and provide affordable housing for consumers: More Homes and Market Act, Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, and the Yes In My Backyard Act

• Lastly, members urged the support of the Direct Seller and Real Estate Harmonization Act. This legislation would repeal a Department of Labor rule that would create an environment in which REALTORS® could be classified as employees instead of independent contractors. This rule would harm small businesses; and REALTORS® could lose the freedom and flexibility that independent contractors benefit from.

NAR's world-class lobbying team has worked tirelessly to influence Congress and government agencies to pass policies that are friendly to the real estate industry so that every American can achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

The ABR designation requires the two-day ABR course and an elective. Broker and international speaker Matthew Rathbun will be teaching OKCMAR members for three days, ending with Marketing the Listing.

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