HPI in the News: Oklahoma Housing Affordability Study

KJRH Covers House Interim Study on Housing Costs & Solutions

"OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — On September 15, three interim studies on housing affordability took place at the Oklahoma state Capitol, including one led by state Rep. Rob Hall of Tulsa, as lawmakers and experts worked to find solutions to the state's growing housing challenges.

Robert Aery of the Hern Policy Institute said one of the first issues that needs to be addressed is the definition of 'affordable' itself.

'It's a relative concept. What is affordable for you, might not be affordable for me. That's important because by its nature, affordability depends on both cost and the ability to pay,' Aery said.

Aery also noted that declining birth rates are adding pressure to the housing market, as families are having fewer children than previous generations.

'If demographic trends continue, states will increasingly compete for people. This will further enhance the need for housing policies that attract and retain families,' Aery said."

Read the full report here.