Why This Matters

The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program was created as part of the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 to address homelessness and housing insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic. In May 2021, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated 70,000 tenant-based vouchers to public housing authorities across the United States. To guide future policy around homelessness services and housing voucher programs for people experiencing homelessness, we examined how six communities implemented the EHV program. This case study summarizes the program in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, which targeted people fleeing domestic violence, victims of human trafficking, and people with criminal justice involvement. 

Key Takeaways

Oklahoma City built on preexisting relationships between the Continuum of Care, public housing authority, and a local housing service provider to implement the program. To tailor the program to the community’s needs, Oklahoma City opted to use the self-certification waivers, allocated service fees for landlord incentives and household items purchases, and leveraged existing community resources to offer case management. As of April 2025, 80 percent of EHVs in Oklahoma City remain leased. Oklahoma City’s experience provides the following lessons for future iterations of vouchers: expand vouchers for people experiencing homelessness through a single program, maintain program flexibilities in voucher programs to address barriers for people experiencing homelessness, and require case management and supportive services.