Yes for Norman!
We are a diverse group of residents who recognize the need for a permanent shelter.
We encourage you to be informed on all five propositions and
VOTE YES FOR NORMAN!
Yard signs can be picked up at Midway Deli, Yellow Dog Coffee, or Stash as available
Yes for Norman!
Vote Yes for Norman - April 7th - Proposition 5
This is about Norman neighbors
● The vast majority of people who would use this shelter already live in Norman or have strong ties to Norman.
● Local data consistently shows that people experiencing homelessness are not relocating here for services. They are longtime residents who lost housing due to rising rents, job loss, medical debt, disability, or family disruption.
● This bond allows Norman to care for its own neighbors, rather than relying on other cities to absorb a local need.
Bottom line: Homelessness in Norman is a Norman issue, and this is a Norman solution.
This is not a warehouse. It is a re-housing hub
● The proposed shelter is designed to be a short-term stabilization point, not a place where people get stuck.
● From day one, guests are connected to housing navigation, case management, healthcare, behavioral health services, employment support, and benefits enrollment.
● The goal is movement. From the street to shelter. From shelter to housing. From crisis back to stability.
Bottom line: The shelter is a bridge back to housing and self-sufficiency, not a permanent destination.
Re-housing works. Doing nothing does not
● Communities across the country that treat shelters as re-housing hubs see faster exits from homelessness and fewer returns to crisis.
● Emergency-only responses like police calls, ER visits, and encampment cleanups cost more and do not resolve homelessness.
● Connecting people to housing and services is the only approach proven to reduce homelessness over time.
Bottom line: This investment replaces repeated crisis response with a system that resolves homelessness.
Addressing root causes is the only effective path forward
● Homelessness is driven by specific, well-documented factors: lack of affordable housing, wage stagnation, disability, untreated health needs, and gaps in behavioral healthcare.
● A shelter alone does not solve homelessness. A shelter paired with housing access and services does.
● This project is designed around those root causes, not just the visible symptoms.
Bottom line: If we want different outcomes, we must invest in different solutions.
This is a fiscally responsible use of public dollars
● A centralized, professionally operated shelter reduces strain on emergency services, law enforcement, hospitals, and local businesses.
● Re-housing models cost less over time than unmanaged homelessness.
● The GO Bond is a one-time capital investment that creates long-term infrastructure for a persistent community need.
Bottom line: This is a smart investment that lowers long-term public costs while improving community wellbeing.
Safety, dignity, and accountability are built into the model
● The shelter will have clear policies, professional staffing, and strong partnerships with local systems.
● Indoor spaces reduce unsheltered homelessness in public areas and create safer conditions for everyone.
● Accountability is built into operations, outcomes tracking, and public reporting.
Bottom line: A well-run shelter improves safety for guests, neighborhoods, and the broader community. “This bond is about taking responsibility for our neighbors, using proven solutions, and investing in an approach that actually works. Homelessness does not resolve itself. Communities that make thoughtful, evidence-based investments see real change. Norman has the opportunity to do just that.”
City of Norman - Bond Proposals
On April 7th the City of Norman will vote on 5 Bond proposals. Yes for Norman is sharing information from the City of Norman website whose purpose is to educate and inform.
Information from the City Norman
Permanent Homeless Shelter and Resource Facility Proposition - April 2026
A proposition regarding the approval of a general obligation bond by the Norman community to fund a permanent homeless shelter and resource facility will be on the ballot for Norman voters on April 7, 2026. View additional information through Frequently-Asked-Questions below.
To cast a ballot, residents must be registered to vote no later than March 13. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is March 23, and early voting will be available on April 2 and April 3.
To find more information about upcoming elections, register to vote/check your voter registration status, or locate your polling place, go to https://oklahoma.gov/elections.html.
WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED AND WHY?
A general obligation bond to construct a permanent homeless shelter and resource facility, funded through property tax revenue, is being proposed to Norman voters. It is proposed to meet a long-term goal, after the need for a permanent shelter was identified in a Community Gaps Analysis Study and Action Plan dating back to 2021.
WHAT WOULD THE FACILITY INCLUDE?
A women’s dorm, men’s dorm, family units, laundry room, respite rooms, dog kennel and dog run, storage units, multi-use space, restrooms, showers and staff areas. View a facility concept here. By day, the intended operator will be able to help clients gain housing by offering services such as completing applications, obtaining ID cards or birth certificates, and job navigation. By night, the facility would shelter up to 120 people.
WOULD THIS BE A LOW-BARRIER SHELTER?
Yes. Learn more about the concept of low-barrier shelters here.
HOW MUCH IS THE BOND AND WHAT IS THE LIFE OF THE BOND?
The bond is a sum of $8 million to be paid over 20 years.
WOULD THIS IMPACT MY PROPERTY TAX RATE?
Yes, there would be an estimated average annual increase of $3.26 for homes valued at $100,000; $6.81 for homes valued at $200,000; $10.36 for homes valued at $300,000; $13.91 for homes valued at $400,000; $17.46 for homes valued at $500,000.
WHO WOULD OWN AND OPERATE THE FACILITY?
The City of Norman would own the facility and contract with a qualified operator to operate the shelter. CityCare, a nonprofit agency currently contracted to manage a city shelter on West Gray Street, is expected to operate the new facility and intent has been discussed in public meetings. Upon completion of the project, a new contract would be negotiated. Residents can view current CityCare reports on shelter operations at this webpage under “Contractor Updates.”
DOES THE BOND COVER OPERATIONAL EXPENSES?
No. The bond would cover facility construction. As discussed in public meetings leading to approval of the community-wide vote, operational expenses are estimated to be around $930,000.00. Operational expenses are expected to be covered through the City’s general fund and CityCare fundraising/grant efforts. Responsibilities of both parties regarding funding portions would be determined during contract negotiation after construction. There is a shared goal to decrease the City’s contribution to shelter operations over time.
WHAT ABOUT THE CURRENT CITY-OWNED SHELTER IN NORMAN?
There is currently a low-barrier, City-owned shelter located at West Gray and James Garner Avenue in Downtown Norman. It is operated by CityCare. The shelter was repurposed from a building once used for storage. A voter sentiment survey conducted in December 2025 showed that 64% of respondents believed the shelter should be moved to another location. The current facility – built in the 1960s – sleeps only 52 individuals a night, lacks family unit areas, contains undisturbed asbestos, requires “fire watch” services since it does not have a fire suppression system and borders mainly businesses instead of resource providers.
CityCare is contracted to operate the current shelter. See shelter history, copies of agreements and other relevant information here.
Through a competitive proposal process issued in earlier years for potential redevelopment of the property the current shelter sits on, an interested investor has been identified and remains interested in building a mixed use development of multi-family housing and commercial uses pending relocation of the shelter.
WHERE WOULD THE NEW FACILITY BE AND HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO BUILD?
The new facility would be built on purchased City property on Reed Avenue, south of Griffin Hospital and adjacent to other resource providers such as Food & Shelter, the Cleveland County Health Department, and Central Oklahoma Community Mental Health Center. If the proposition is approved, the facility is expected to be constructed within 2 years. For more information, view the Legal Description, Site Map Details from Contractor Concept and the Site Map Overview of Area (area where proposed shelter is considered to be is outlined in orange).
HAVE NEIGHBORS IN THE AREA OF THE PROPOSED FACILITY BEEN CONSULTED?
Yes. Meetings with neighbors to the residential area west of the site continue. City staff and City Council members have placed high priority on understanding and addressing the concerns of neighbors and working toward accommodations prior to construction. There has also been discussion of more formal and collaborative relationships and documented expectations, between neighbors and stakeholders and the operator, when the facility comes on-line in the form of a potential Good Neighbor Pledge.
WHERE CAN I VIEW FINDINGS OF THE VOTER SENTIMENT SURVEY CONDUCTED IN DECEMBER 2025?
You can access survey results here.
WHAT HAS THE CITY DONE TO DATE TO HELP ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS?
View history, information and reports at this informational webpage.
WHAT IS THE BALLOT LANGUAGE OF THE PROPOSITION?
“Shall The City of Norman, State of Oklahoma, incur an indebtedness by issuing its general obligation bonds in the sum of Eight Million Dollars ($8,000,000) to provide funds for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, expanding, repairing, which may also include improving, renovating, acquiring and equipping a homeless shelter community facility, to be owned exclusively by said City, to be completed with or without the use of other funds, and levy and collect an annual tax, in addition to all other taxes, upon all the taxable property in said City sufficient to pay the interest on said bonds as it falls due, and also to constitute a sinking fund for the payment of the principal thereof when due, said bonds to be competitively sold and bear interest at the lowest rate not to exceed the rate of ten percentum (10%) per annum, payable semi-annually and to become due serially within twenty (20) years from their date?”
WHEN IS THE ELECTION?
The election is April 7, 2026. The last day to register to vote in order to cast a ballot in the election is March 13, 2026. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is March 23, 2026. Early Voting will occur on April 2 and April 3, 2026.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE VOTE DOES NOT PASS?
At this time, there is intent from City Council to move forward with the construction of a permanent homeless shelter but funding to do so would need to be identified.
ARE SEX OFFENDERS ALLOWED AT THE SHELTER?
State law would prohibit any sex offender from staying at the current shelter or at the newly proposed shelter.
WILL THERE BE OTHER ITEMS ON THE BALLOT?
Yes, there will be five city-wide propositions on the ballot for Norman voters on April 7, 2026. Learn more here.
Vote Yes - April 7, 2026
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