For Immediate Release:

August 27th, 2025

For More Information Contact: 405-713-1501

Oklahoma County, OK- Oklahoma County District 1 Commissioner Jason Lowe and Michael Figgins, Executive Director of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma (LASO), held a press conference this morning to raise awareness about the ongoing eviction crisis affecting individuals in Oklahoma County.  They specifically wanted to raise awareness on how evictions impact families with children. The impact of eviction of families, especially as they head back to school, presents additional challenges for students who will be forced to change schools or will miss school altogether. 

During the event, Commissioner Lowe emphasized the urgent need for action, stating, “The number of evictions in our community is a pressing issue that we cannot ignore. We (government) must collaborate with our local nonprofits to support initiatives to ensure that every family has a stable place to call home, especially now when children have returned to school.

As of August 25, 2025, Oklahoma County landlords have filed 1,311 evictions so far this month.  That number will continue to grow.  So far this year over 10,000 evictions have been recorded in Oklahoma County.

In 2024, Oklahoma County had 18,261 eviction filings. Which LASO states led to 15,000 evictions. LASO said their average client is a female with 2 kids.  That means nearly 30,000 children were impacted by eviction filings in Oklahoma County in 2024 last year.

The data provided by LASO and the Oklahoma County Court Clerk's office reveals a pressing need for additional action to help stem the on-going crisis.  Further complicating the efforts our losses in funding faced by those who are on the front line of the fight.  

LASO has seen a significant reduction in its capacity, going from 25 lawyers in 2020 to just 7 currently.  The loss of layers means that many people facing eviction in Oklahoma County do so without legal representation. Something Figgins noted was heavily in favor of landlords.

At the conclusion of the press conference, in unexpected announcement, Commissioner Lowe revealed that he is awarding an additional $100,000 in ARPA funds to Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma to support their efforts in addressing the eviction crisis. “This funding is vital for supplying Legal Aid Services with the resources they need to support individuals and families during one of the most challenging times in their lives," he added.  Oklahoma County had previously awarded LASO $150,000 in ARPA funds to help fight the on-going crisis.  

Michael Figgins expressed gratitude for the generous award, stating, “This funding is critical and will enable us to better serve those struggling with the fear of eviction, particularly the children at the heart of this crisis.” LASO successfully prevented over 3,123 out of 2024 eviction filings. Commissioner Lowe believes that increasing LASO’s ARPA allocation will help ensure that more families receive the essential legal representation they need in court, allowing them to avoid eviction and potential homelessness. “I understand the crucial role that legal representation plays in these situations. Having an attorney can significantly impact the outcomes for families facing eviction,” he concluded.

Lowe and Figgins encouraged residents who are facing evictions or have questions about their rights to reach out to LASO (405-521-1302) for help.  

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