City leaders say debate highlighted frustration over homelessness and disagreements with state officials
NORMAN — The Norman City Council unanimously rejected a controversial proposal Tuesday that would have allowed homeowners to temporarily host homeless individuals on residential property, ending a debate that drew criticism from state officials, residents and business groups.
According to reporting by The Oklahoman, the proposal would have created a temporary emergency residential camping permit program allowing property owners to host up to two homeless individuals on their property for up to 90 days. The measure was presented as one potential response to Norman’s ongoing homelessness challenges, but council members found little support for moving it forward.
The special meeting came shortly after Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Operation SAFE cleared a homeless encampment from state-owned property in Norman, intensifying local discussions about how cities should address homelessness.
The Oklahoman reported that City Attorney Rick Knighton outlined several legal and practical obstacles facing the proposal, including conflicts with neighborhood covenants, potential homeowner insurance issues and liability concerns for property owners who allowed camping on their land.
Council members from across the city expressed opposition, citing constituent concerns, safety questions and doubts that the proposal would meaningfully address homelessness.
Ward 4 Councilmember Helen Grant said residents and service organizations had made it clear they preferred expanded services and better management of existing encampments rather than allowing camping in residential neighborhoods.
Ward 2 Councilmember Matt Peacock described the proposal as “a nonstarter,” while Ward 1 Councilmember David Gandesbery argued that simply relocating homeless individuals from one location to another was not a humane solution.
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman said the concept originated from a conversation with a longtime Norman property owner who wanted the freedom to allow homeless individuals to stay on property she owned. Holman argued the proposal was rooted in private property rights, though he acknowledged there was little support for advancing it.
The proposal also became a flashpoint in a broader dispute between Norman officials and state leaders.
Earlier this week, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, publicly urged the council to reject the measure, arguing that allowing residential encampments was not a solution to homelessness. Republican legislators representing Norman similarly criticized the proposal before the meeting.
According to The Oklahoman’s account of the meeting, several council members pushed back against criticism from state officials, arguing local governments are often left to manage homelessness with limited resources and support.
Despite rejecting the proposal, Holman said the discussion served an important purpose.
“We really have to turn over every rock, every idea that people have about how we could better address this issue,” Holman said, adding that simply breaking up encampments without addressing underlying problems has not produced lasting results.
Holman ultimately acknowledged there was no support on the council for advancing the proposal.
