OKC Plan, 2000-2020 - City of Oklahoma City

Housing and neighborhoods are two basic and closely related building blocks of a
community. Adequate housing provides the foundation for creating healthy and viable
neighborhoods. In turn, strong neighborhoods are the underpinning of a vital community.
Despite its importance, sound housing is not the only indicator of neighborhood quality.
Other factors such as friendly neighbors, proximity to schools and transportation, retail stores,
services, natural beauty, and population diversity may be equally or more important than housing
quality. Neighborhood quality, therefore, is somewhat intangible and may have different meanings
depending on individual preferences.
Housing and neighborhood preservation policies, therefore, must account for the particular
factors that shape both city-wide and neighborhood housing markets. In addition, these policies
must incorporate citizen needs and preferences for adequate housing and neighborhood quality.
City-Wide Housing Policies
All residents of Oklahoma City, regardless of income levels and where they live within the
City, desire a broad selection of decent housing in safe and pleasant neighborhoods.
Directions
Provide adequate and affordable housing for all residents of Oklahoma City.
Ensure that residents of Oklahoma City will have a wide choice of desirable neighborhood
environments and housing styles.
Promote housing patterns which make efficient use of existing investments in public and private
services and facilities and which minimize the need for additional investments.
Actions
Provide adequate and affordable housing for residents of all income levels by promoting new
housing construction and rehabilitation of existing housing stock at a wide range of housing
prices.
Establish programs to assist prospective homeowners in overcoming barriers to home ownership
including down payment assistance, subsidies to lower interest payments, and assistance in
obtaining property insurance.
Promote housing choice by providing a variety of architectural styles and materials throughout
the City and in individual neighborhoods.
Adopt housing and development regulations which allow quality, non-traditional housing (such
as granny flats, backyard rental units, manufactured housing, and loft development) within
typical neighborhoods while maintaining compatibility with existing housing.
Establish land use patterns and transportation networks which promote efficient use of public
resources and promote choice among residents as to living and working arrangements.
Develop programs to redistribute locations for subsidized housing not requiring supportive
services throughout the metro region.
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