This is a story originally published by KFOR posted here on 03/31/2026.
The Oklahoma City Housing Authority is set to begin construction, turning a former motel into affordable housing, years after buying the property for over $3 million.
The new complex is known as “Vita Nova” and is supposed to create 73 new affordable housing units.
“Affordable housing is challenging; lots of different funding streams have to come together to make affordable housing work, but it’s worth the effort. We need affordable housing in Oklahoma City,” said the Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Housing Authority, Mark Gillett.
Despite being purchased over two years ago, Gillett says progress has been slow for multiple reasons.
“It took so long because of financing of getting that process going. Affordable housing is always more challenging than a typical private construction deal,” Gillett explained. “We also have to think about the fact that people live here, and so they are eligible for resident relocation. They’ve all received notices now that they need to start thinking about that process. We will help them move to a new site, and then when Vita Nova is finished in construction, we’ll also help them move back,” said Gillett.
Gillett says the property was purchased for about $3 million through the MAPS 4 Program, and the construction is estimated to cost millions more.
“There’ll be about five to eight million more dollars to renovate the property over the next 18 months,” said Gillett.
Some construction preparation will start on Wednesday, and the building known as the community center is scheduled to be demolished on April 6.
