U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner was in Oklahoma to discuss the systems blocking homeownership. During his visit, he was able to promote homeownership to tribal nations and assess how the state is protecting homeless youth.

MORE: HUD Secretary discusses road to Oklahoma home affordability

• HUD is working to deregulate systems that make housing inaccessible.
• $4 billion of Indian Housing Guaranteed Loan is used by Oklahoma tribes.
• HUD published a best-practices report that shows what cities across the nation are doing to bring prices down for housing.
• Oklahoma is working to address youth homelessness.
• Oklahoma saw a decline in homelessness in the past year.

HUD, Oklahoma tribes discuss homeownership roadblocks

Turner said that while in Oklahoma, he met with tribal nations to promote homeownership and discuss some of the roadblocks they may face.

Regulatory environments and bureaucratic “red tape” are what block many Oklahomans from homeownership, according to Turner.

Turner said HUD is working to deregulate some of the systems, which he hopes will make homes more affordable and accessible.

“We took down a rule called Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH),” said Turner, “Which was a Biden-Obama era rule that really made HUD a national zoning board.”

According to Turner, AFFH allowed leaders in Washington, D.C. to control how neighborhoods in Oklahoma and cities across the nation are structured.

“Bureaucrats in Washington don’t know the unique needs of Oklahoma City,” he said. “Only Oklahoma City does.”

By rescinding AFFH, Turner said HUD state localities can take inventory of their regulatory environment and find out

Turner and the tribes also discussed the Indian Housing Guaranteed Loan.

“It’s about $11 billion. in this program since its inception. And $4 billion of that has been used right here in Oklahoma through our tribes,” said Turner.

He said this loan allows tribes to refurbish homes, which Turner said can help with the path to homeownership.

Oklahomans struggle with bills amid rising costs

With rising costs nationwide, many Oklahomans are struggling to afford their bills or are in fear of losing their homes. Turner said the government is “laser focused” on making homeownership more accessible.

“At HUD last year, in one year, we had 1.5 million people be able to afford to buy a home through our FHA program,” said Turner.

Turner said he would tell Oklahomans struggling to afford housing: “ Faithful, keep saving as much as you can, and understand that the president is laser-focused on America.”

HUD published a best-practices report that shows what cities across the nation are doing to bring prices down for housing.

The report follows three themes, according to Turner: “Number one, reduce the cost to construction. Make more land available to build affordable housing, and number three, accelerate the time that it takes to bring new construction online.”

“This is not a federal mandate. What it is is recommendations, a culmination of research that we’ve done at HUD,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to make it easier to build and easier to buy. We want more Americans to achieve home ownership because that’s the American dream.”

Turner cited the conflict in Iran as the cause of high costs.

“When that conflict is finished, and it will be finished, the American people will see the prices in our country come down,” he said. ” We’re not going to let this get us down. We’re not going to let gas prices or energy prices, we’re not going to let us, this is America.”

Oklahoma addresses youth homelessness

A national spotlight is on homelessness impacting youth. While in Oklahoma, the HUD secretary surveyed how the state is working to help youth experiencing homelessness.

Turner said First Lady Melania Trump is spearheading the Foster Youth Independence Initiative Program. This program has already secured about $30 million for the Foster Youth Independence Initiative. This program would help teens aging out of foster care have a stable place to live.

“About 20,000 a year that age out of foster care, we want to make sure that they have a stable place to land as it pertains to housing so they can concentrate on career moves, they can concentrate on continued education, but they have to have a safe and stable place to live,” said Turner.

In Oklahoma, Pivot helps at-risk or homeless youth. The non-profit provides food, shelter and counseling to kids ages 12 to 17.

Part of Pivot’s campus is their tiny home community, which gives homeless youth a place to stay and develop independence.

Turner praised Pivot for its work following a visit to their community.

HUD pushes self-sufficiency following assistance

Turner believes that self-sufficiency is the goal of public programs like housing assistance.

“Work restores dignity. And we have a work and dignity coalition that we have over 227 now PHAs, tribes, and non-profits signed up so that when people are on HUD-funded housing, they can join to be in work requirements and time limits, you know, to say, ‘Hey, I’m gonna get a job. I’m going to work for my family. I’m going to earn a living.’ Getting a welfare check does not restore dignity,” said Turner.

Turner believes there should be work requirements for HUD-funded assistance.

“We have a new proposed rule out for time limits and work requirements for public housing authorities to give them the flexibility so that if people are on HUD-funded housing, our PHAs have the flexibility to require them to work at least 20 hours a week and give them five years to be on public assistance HUD-funded housing,” said Turner.

Oklahoma homelessness declines

In the past year, Oklahoma saw a decrease in homelessness, according to the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. This was the first decrease the state has seen since 2022.

Oklahoma City reports first drop in homelessness since 2022

Oklahoma City’s 2026 Point-in-Time Count recorded 1,867 people experiencing homelessness, marking the city’s first overall decrease since 2022.

May 11, 2026 06:51 AM

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Turner said this decrease showed that the state is headed in the right direction when it comes to policies.

“I wouldn’t change what Oklahoma’s doing. I would just say take it up another notch,” said Turner. “Five percent is a big deal. We still have too much homelessness around our country.”

The University of Central Oklahoma is launching new artificial intelligence degree programs in fall of 2026 as demand for AI skills continues to grow across industries.

University leaders say the new programs were developed after hearing from employers looking for graduates with artificial intelligence experience.

“It’s becoming an expectation in the job market that you have skills that are AI related so that you can be functional using AI from the very start versus learning it on the job,” said Dean of UCO’s College of Mathematics and Science Dr. Evan Lemley.

Students will study software engineering with an emphasis on AI, learning the fundamentals of coding before using artificial intelligence to build software and solve real-world problems.

The university says those skills could prepare graduates for careers in Oklahoma industries including aerospace, energy, biotechnology and agriculture.

“We’ve seen a growing need for students to get the exposure to learn how to use algorithms and techniques,” said Dr. Lemley.

Students in the new program will also have access to Buddy, UCO’s campus supercomputer. The system has supported university research for more than a decade and is now expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities.

“You’ve heard of ChatGPT well we got BuddyGPT,” said Dr. Lemley. “Many companies and universities are deploying their own AI facilities.”

University leaders say keeping AI resources on campus can also help researchers work with sensitive data while providing students with hands-on experience using the technology.

Along with technical training, students will also study the ethical use of artificial intelligence and responsible decision-making.

“The part of the training that students get here is in ethics around AI,” said Dr. Lemley. “That’s important, the ethics component as well as the core skills.”

UCO’s goal is to prepare students for a workforce where artificial intelligence skills are becoming increasingly valuable.

Convicted Oklahoma rapist Jesse Butler’s sexual assault case was dismissed in court this week – as a newly elected district attorney scolded the teen’s defense for trying to proclaim their innocence, blasting, “Nothing has made my blood boil more.”

Butler, who avoided 78 years in prison after he was convicted of raping and assaulting two high school girlfriends thanks to a sweetheart plea deal that saw his status reduced to a youthful offender, completed his probation Monday, CBS affiliate KWTV reported. 

Butler, from Stillwater, was formally discharged from court supervision Tuesday at midnight as he turned 19 years old after completing 150 hours of community service. His lawyers are now working to have the case formally wiped from his record.

During the hearing, Butler’s defense team seemed to proclaim the teen’s innocence, irking lawyer Jeremiah Gregory, who was sworn in as district attorney for Oklahoma’s District 9, which encompasses Stillwater.

“Today’s hearing included disingenuous assertions from the defense regarding the defendant’s innocence, that he was the victim in this matter, and that the victim’s assertions were false,” he said.

“Nothing has made my blood boil more. I did not know this was going to be allowed, nor did the defense attorney reveal he intended to make any kind of statement. The statements made in court were inappropriate to say the least and I will not remain silent without contradicting such assertions.”

In his blistering rebuke, Gregory vowed to uphold Oklahoma’s “double jeopardy” clause – which means a person cannot be prosecuted by the state twice for the same offense after being convicted.

But he said he would submit the case for federal review.

“I cannot undo what has already been done, but I can – and will – continue to stand as a strong voice for all victims of violent crime.”

Butler’s lawyer, Derek Chance, admitted the bid to get the crime wiped from the teen’s record would be challenging, the Oklahoman reported.

Rachel Bussett, who represented the family of one of Butler’s victims, was left disappointed by the outcome – and also scolded Chance.

“He was basically saying that Butler was the victim and that he was innocent and that there was video evidence that demonstrated this ― and that’s just not the truth,” she told the Oklahoman.

She alluded to a video an officer found during the investigation which showed Butler “strangling [his victim] until unconsciousness,” which was cited in an affidavit seen by The Post.

“His attorney claims that the video shows this was consensual,” Bussett said.

“But the fact of the matter is that you cannot consent to strangulation.”

Bussett hasn’t ruled out the victims’ families pursuing civil cases against Stillwater High, the city itself, and the Butlers.

Butler was 17 when he was charged as an adult with 10 felony counts, including rape, attempted rape, sexual battery and assault involving two high school students.

He initially pleaded not guilty before striking a sweetheart deal that saw his status change to a youthful offender. He then switched his plea to no contest. 

Oklahoma’s Youthful Offenders Act 1994 allows those under 18 who are charged with serious crimes – except first-degree murder – to be prosecuted as a juvenile. 

Butler was sentenced to one year of rehabilitation and community service, and this sentence was branded a “complete injustice” by the family of one of his victims, while the other labeled it a “joke.”

Butler was accused of sexually assaulting one of his ex-girlfriends on Groundhog Day in 2024 – days after they had started dating, according to court docs.

The girl “yelled and told him [Butler] ‘no’ repeatedly and tried to push him off of her, but was unable to overpower him.”

He was accused of strangling the girl “to the point of unconsciousness” following another altercation that happened at a Walmart parking lot.

The girl claimed he was laughing at her when she regained consciousness – and also revealed she had to undergo surgery.

Butler was accused of assaulting his second victim in the spring and summer of 2024. 

He strangled the girl to the point of “unconsciousness” while housesitting.

“She could not breathe, scratched at his arms, and tried to get away, but could not free herself,” the documents claimed.

“She described feeling coerced to comply to avoid being hurt,” the girl alleged, claiming Butler wanted to have sex every day.