In May 1975, then-Governor David Boren signed the dotted line of the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency trust indenture documents. This opened the door in 1976 to a vibrant history of providing housing resources to Oklahoma families.
Each milestone tells a story. Discover how we grew from a single rental assistance program into a statewide housing leader, creating pathways to homeownership and supporting strong communities along the way.
Our story started small in 1976, with 12 field agents, a new rental assistance program, and a big vision to help lead Oklahomans home. In that first year, OHFA helped 3,200 families with rental assistance. The new program opened the door for renters to choose their own neighborhoods beyond the limits of traditional government housing. Since then, OHFA has helped more than 600,000 renters build stability in safe and affordable homes.
In 1980, OHFA expanded its reach by offering down payment assistance to Oklahoma homebuyers through the Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bond program. News articles report swift interest from potential homeowners, with people lighting up phone lines and camping out in front of loan offices to reserve their share. Thanks to the partnership of dedicated mortgage lenders, more than 70,000 homebuyers have utilized OHFA's services.
The Low Income Housing Tax Credit emerged in 1987 following the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Through this program, OHFA expanded its reach to include housing development initiatives. The program makes it possible for developers to build and maintain safe and affordable rental housing. Nearly 40,000 rental units have been created in communities across Oklahoma since the program's inception.
In 1992, OHFA began offering the Family Self-Sufficiency program to participants who receive rental assistance with Housing Choice Vouchers. Families enter into a five-year contract to establish financial freedom and work toward the achievement of goals. As their income increases, OHFA makes monthly deposits into an escrow account. When the contract ends, the family receives the full escrow amount.
OHFA's Multifamily Bond program provides developers access to tax-exempt bonds to finance affordable rental developments. The program has helped stretch every dollar further by reducing borrowing costs and unlocking federal tax credits so more Oklahomans can have a safe, affordable place to call home. Financing for an average of 900 additional units are allocated each year.
In 1994, OHFA began assisting organizations through the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program. HOPWA offers grants to organizations that provide rental assistance, utility and mortgage assistance. HOPWA supports supportive services such as mental health counseling, meals, nutrition, and transportation. On average, 60 families are assisted through this small but vital program each year.
In April 1998, Governor Frank Keating signed a Senate Bill establishing the Oklahoma Housing Trust Fund. Its purpose provide low‑interest, revolving loans that support the creation and preservation of affordable housing across the state. OHFA received a one-time appropriation of $4.7 million. The rental and homeownership program serves tenants or homeowners up to 120% of the area median income. The OHTF has produced 1,231 units.
The HOME Investment Partnerships Program became part of the OHFA portfolio of programs in 1998. HOME encourages developers, local governments, and Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) to build and rehabilitate rental and for-sale homes for low-income families. HOME also offers down payment assistance through the organizations receiving grants. Since 1998, the HOME program has generated 6,590 for-sale and rental units and provided down payment assistance for 3,099 homeowners.
In 2000, OHFA began administering the Performance Based Contract Administration program. Through PBCA, OHFA provides monitoring and payment services of assisted units to owners of project-based Section 8 properties for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Oklahoma. This program offers another opportunity for families to receive assistance paying rent directly from the property where they live. Each year, approximately 13,000 families benefit from the program.
On a chilly day in 2001, OHFA held a ribbon cutting and grand opening for its very own office building as part of its 25th anniversary celebration. For its first 25 years, OHFA rented offices in locations around Oklahoma City. With a building of our own, we could finally plant roots as we serve the people of Oklahoma.
Since 2002, has offered the option for Housing Choice Voucher and Family Self-Sufficiency participants to transition from renter to homeowner. Funds previously allocated for paying a portion of their rent go toward paying a mortgage. The program opens up endless possibilities to families who otherwise would not be able to purchase a home.
OHFA began offering special interest rates to teachers in 2003 and expanded in 2025 to include all school employees. In 2005, the offering of special rates expanded to include law enforcement, firefighters, and EMTs. State employees became eligible in 2020. Buyers of homes using these products receive a special interest rate, making homeownership more attainable for Oklahoma's public servants.
Following the devastation of Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina, OHFA stepped in to provide housing assistance to evacuees. This helped them take the critical step of rebuilding their lives. OHFA teamed with Oklahoma Emergency Management to assist 1,089 families with more than $3.1 million in rent, security deposits, and utility payments.
Tornadoes that ripped through several Oklahoma communities in May 2013 left thousands of homes destroyed. OHFA made $500,000 available in grants to cover critical housing needs. That year, 400 households received assistance. The grant has been renamed the Richard S. Lillard Emergency Housing Assistance Fund. OHFA utilizes the grants to assist families whose homes have been left uninhabitable following catastrophic events such as wildfires, tornadoes, and floods.
Expanding its impact for homebuyers in 2014, OHFA implemented OHFA Dream. This product offers fewer income restrictions and offers repeat homebuyers the opportunity to utilize OHFA's down payment assistance, no matter where they live in the state. The program expands OHFA's capability to provide opportunities to buyers no matter where they are in their homeownership journey.
The Oklahoma Affordable Housing Act of 2014 authorizes OHFA to award Oklahoma Affordable Housing Tax Credits (OAHTC) to developments placed in service after July 1, 2015. Developers may use State Tax Credits in conjunction with either 4% or 9% federal tax credits. State Tax Credits are made available to developments located in all Oklahoma counties. Nearly 6,000 units of affordable housing have been created across the state as a result.
Since 2016, OHFA has served as the administrator of the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF). Developments primarily serve individuals and families with low or very low incomes, including those experiencing homelessness. Since that time, the program has created 150 housing units for Oklahomans most at-risk, including individuals experiencing homelessness, single mothers participating in a pre-trial diversion program, and individuals with disabilities.
For many homebuyers, a qualified real estate agent provides their first glimpse into homeownership. In 2018, OHFA launched its Blue Ribbon Real Estate Agents certification class. Through two hours of continuing education, attendees learn the ins and outs of OHFA's homeownership products. Oklahoma real estate agents who complete OHFA's free Oklahoma Real Estate Commission course earn the OHFA Blue Ribbon Agent title.
In 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency’s (OHFA’s) participation in the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program, available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This program assisted families and individuals most at-risk of homelessness, including those fleeing violent situations. OHFA partnered with Continuum of Care (CoC) and other providers to administer the Emergency Housing Voucher Program.
OHFA launched the Oklahoma Homeowner Assistance Fund in January 2022. Created from the American Rescue Plan Act, the HAF program provided grants to homeowners who had been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In its two-year span, 3,863 households. Oklahoma homeowners who experienced financial setbacks stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic used grants to alleviate past-due mortgages, property taxes, home insurance, and homeowner association dues.
In May 2023, OHFA celebrated a homecoming. After more than two years of construction, OHFA employees returned to its newly remodeled building at N.W. 63rd and the Broadway Extension — a space transformed to better reflect OHFA’s mission and momentum. The renovation delivered modern workspaces, updated technology and infrastructure, and improved accessibility for visiting customers.
With the goal of offering brand-new rental and for-sale housing to Oklahomans across the state, the Oklahoma State Legislature passed legislation creating the Oklahoma Housing Stability Program. The $261 million program represents the state's largest housing investment. OHFA awarded its first program loans on May 15, 2024. In its first year, the program generated 745 new rental and for-sale homes.
In 2025, the State of Oklahoma received a one-time $30 million allocation in HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan (HOME-ARP) funds to provide housing and supportive services to at-risk individuals, including those who are experiencing homelessness. OHFA utilized this program to provide grants to organizations for new construction and supportive services. Additional program dollars were utilized for tenant-based rental assistance vouchers for vulnerable households.
For a half-century, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency has helped tens of thousands of Oklahomans achieve their housing needs and fulfill their dreams. From rental assistance to homeownership to housing development opportunities, we are proud to "provide housing resources with an eagerness to serve."
