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Lawton council narrows use of CDBG/HOME funds and declares emergency ban on unauthorized camping
Summary
The council directed staff to limit CDBG/HOME awards to applicants serving residents with verifiable Lawton connections and approved an emergency ordinance banning unauthorized camping within city limits; both moves were framed by council and community concerns about safety and the effects of attracting people from outside the city.
LAWTON, Okla. — The Lawton City Council voted Sept. 16 to add two policies to the city’s homeless response toolkit: to prioritize CDBG and HOME funding for people with a demonstrated connection to Lawton, and to withhold CDBG/HOME funding for projects that expand shelter capacity. Those policy directions were set as amendments to the city’s homeless action plan.
Mayor and several council members said the city has seen an increase in people arriving from other jurisdictions and argued that adding shelter capacity can unintentionally attract additional unsheltered people. The Salvation Army’s Lawton Corps officer, Captain Brian Brindley, provided a written statement read into the record arguing that increased community resources can correlate with increased demand and urged a strategic approach.
Council also considered and passed, by unanimous roll call, an ordinance that prohibits unauthorized camping on public or private property without the property owner’s permission, provides for removal of unattended personal property, sets an administrative appeal process, and requires coordination with social services. Council declared the ordinance an emergency so it takes effect immediately.
Council members emphasized that the measures do not prevent charitable organizations or non‑profits from operating services, but they do restrict the use of city HOME/CDBG dollars for new shelter capacity and ask nonprofit partners to document a lawful local connection for recipients of city HOME/CDBG funds. Staff said implementation details — including verification procedures for a “connection to Lawton” and how to coordinate with social services — will be developed with legal and housing staff before returning to council for formal adoption.
What happens next: Staff will draft amended plan language and operational procedures for how the city will verify connection to Lawton and track HOME/CDBG expenditures, and will bring proposed implementation language back to council for final approval.
