OU Gibbs College of Architecture faculty in partnership with OU Gallogly College of Engineering and the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) have developed the Oklahoma Housing Needs Assessment. The project was overseen by Dr. Francesco Cianfarani, architecture, Professor Shawn Schaefer, urban design, Dr. Ronald Barnes and Dr. Joseph Havlicek, electrical and computer engineering. They were supported by a $925,487 grant from the OHFA to create a comprehensive tool and accompanying report to plan for and address housing needs across Oklahoma.
The assessment allows users to explore housing markets at state, metropolitan, and county levels. It is used by policymakers, real estate developers, and community organizations to identify gaps, conduct market feasibility studies, and develop targeted strategies to meet housing needs. The availability of this web-based resource ensures that people have access to real-time data and visualizations that support evidence-based housing policies.
This transdisciplinary collaboration allowed the team to build an intuitive interface that empowers users to query housing data, generate maps, and explore statistical trends. Faculty from architecture and urban design brought expertise in spatial planning, housing typologies, and community engagement. Electrical and computer engineering faculty provided the technical infrastructure necessary to develop a user-friendly digital platform. Graduate students across disciplines contributed to ensure diverse perspectives were integrated into the research and design projects.
The study revealed significant disparities between Oklahoma’s urban and rural housing markets. While population growth and employment opportunities drive up demand and prices in metropolitan and suburban areas, rural regions face population decline and economic stagnation. The study found that Oklahoma remains relatively affordable compared to other states, however, the cost of owning a home is growing faster than the national average. It saw gaps in affordable rental housing, primarily for extremely low-income and very low-income households. A limited availability of affordable rental units means some households are priced out of the market, causing an increased risk of homelessness. Rising home prices are also reducing access to owner-occupied units for middle-income families and constraining their housing options.
Learn more at the Oklahoma Housing Needs Assessment website.
OHFA: Darrell Beavers, Corey Bornemann, Danette Carr, Emily Myers
OU: Ronald Barnes, Miles Capehart, Francesco Cianfarani, Tyler Duncan, Shane Hampton, Vasu Deva Sai Nadha Reddy Janapala, Rajith Kumar Kedarisetty, Bhavesh Kilaru, Joseph Havlicek, Sonu Malla, Bert Manieson, Inamullah Mohammad, Kalyan Mutukundu, Shawn Schaefer, Carmen Pate, Markquis Yirsa, Preslie Watkins Anderson
Robert L. Wesley, a pioneering architect and beloved mentor, has died at age 88. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Wesley joined Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1964 and became the firm's first Black partner in 1984. Throughout his career, he contributed to significant architectural projects while maintaining a strong commitment to civic engagement and professional mentorship.
The Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture is proud to celebrate a series of recent accomplishments by Dr. Jim Collard, Professor of Practice in the Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design, whose work continues to shape conversations around Indigenous economic development nationally and internationally.
University of Oklahoma Gibbs College of Architecture Dean Hans E. [PA1.1]Butzer returned to one of his most significant works on December 15, joining survivors and past and present board members for the groundbreaking of a $15.8 million expansion of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum.
