Lawton, OK— A controversial new bill introduced in the Oklahoma Senate seeks to ban cities with populations under 300,000 from providing homeless services, including shelters and outreach programs. Senate Bill 484, authored by Senator Lisa Standridge (R-Norman), would apply to all cities in the state except Oklahoma City and Tulsa, which are the only two municipalities with populations exceeding the 300,000 threshold.
The proposed legislation mandates that smaller cities immediately cease any programs that assist the homeless, including the operation of shelters, outreach efforts, and the use of municipal land for such purposes. The bill defines a homeless person as anyone who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence or who lives in temporary accommodations, such as shelters or places not intended for regular sleeping.
Under SB 484, cities that are already running homeless programs would be required to terminate them immediately upon the bill’s passage, which would take effect on November 1, 2025. This would impact a number of Oklahoma communities, many of which have established local efforts to support homeless populations.
Critics of the bill have voiced strong opposition, warning that it could have severe consequences for the state’s homeless population. Meghan Mueller, CEO of the Homeless Alliance, called the bill “counterproductive,” emphasizing that homelessness affects people in both urban and rural areas. She argued that limiting the ability of smaller cities to respond to the needs of their own residents would only exacerbate the crisis, particularly when large urban areas like Oklahoma City and Tulsa are already stretched beyond capacity in terms of services.
Mueller also criticized the bill for lacking cultural competence, saying it fails to account for the unique challenges faced by different communities across the state. “Moving a problem is different from solving a problem,” she remarked, stressing that local municipalities should have the ability to tailor their responses to the specific needs of their populations.
Pastor George Young, a former state senator and long-time advocate for homeless issues, expressed confusion and disbelief over the bill. “I can’t imagine why a piece of legislation of that nature would even be brought up,” he said, highlighting the inconsistency with moral and religious teachings that emphasize helping those in need. Young, who has been involved in homeless outreach for years, added that the bill would contradict efforts to address homelessness in a compassionate and meaningful way.
The proposed legislation follows other recent measures aimed at regulating homelessness in Oklahoma. Last year, Governor Kevin Stitt signed a law making it a criminal offense to camp along public rights of way, and the city of Shawnee passed an ordinance criminalizing sitting or lying down on public sidewalks. These measures have sparked further debate over how best to address homelessness in the state.
As SB 484 continues to move through the legislative process, advocates for the homeless are calling on lawmakers to reconsider the potential harm of the bill and explore alternative solutions that address the root causes of homelessness while still providing support to those in need.
