OKLAHOMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONDEMNS SENATE BILL 484 AS CRUEL AND OUT OF TOUCH

Oklahoma City, OK - The Oklahoma Democratic Party strongly condemns Senate Bill 484, a proposal introduced by freshman Senator Standridge that would prohibit municipalities with populations under 300,000 from funding programs to support citizens facing homelessness. This legislation, which would affect 75 of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, represents an unprecedented level of cruelty and a dangerous disregard for the challenges faced by the most vulnerable Oklahomans.

“Our nation is grappling with a homelessness crisis, and Oklahoma is no exception,” said Alicia Andrews, Chair of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. “Homelessness in our state has risen by 18% since early 2023, with families with children experiencing the largest increase. At a time when Oklahoma ranks last in outcomes for women, 45th in family health outcomes, and 46th in education, this bill is not only cruel—it is deeply out of touch with the reality Oklahomans face every day.”

Instead of addressing the root causes of homelessness—such as the lack of affordable housing, stagnant wages, and insufficient access to healthcare and education-this bill seeks to punish struggling families and communities. Recent legislative sessions have already seen attempts to criminalize encampments, impose sanitation standards on homeless dwellings, and require city inspections of camps, all while failing to offer meaningful solutions.

Homelessness is not solved through cruelty or neglect. It is solved by investing in the resources and protections that enable people to find and maintain safe, affordable housing. This includes increasing the minimum wage, making higher education more affordable, and removing barriers to workforce participation.

“The predictable and heartbreaking consequence of this kind of legislation is an increase in homelessness,” Andrews said. “This bill is not about fiscal responsibility or public safety. It’s about proving that cruelty is the point, not just a byproduct, of certain lawmakers’ agendas.”

The Oklahoma Democratic Party urges legislators to reject Senate Bill 484 and to instead focus on policies that uplift Oklahoma families, protect vulnerable populations, and address the root causes of homelessness. As the legislative deadline for new bills approaches, we call on Oklahomans to contact their representatives and demand that compassion, not cruelty, guide our state’s policies.