San Francisco proposes to extend fire displacement housing preferences retroactively

The San Francisco County government meeting held on July 4, 2025, focused on the city’s affordable housing programs, particularly the preferences outlined in Article 47 of the San Francisco Administrative Code. The meeting began with a report on the various housing preferences available to residents, including the Certificate of Preference for displaced tenants and the Neighborhood Resident Housing Preference Program.

The discussion highlighted the four subcategories under the Certificate of Preference: those displaced by Ellis Act evictions, owner move-ins, fire displacements, and tenants facing expiring affordability restrictions. The report noted that the most recent amendments to these preferences occurred in 2019, with the Neighborhood Resident Housing Preference Program established in 2015.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing annual and three-year reports on the demographics and income levels of applicants. Over the three-year period from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2019, a total of 293 affordable housing projects were completed, resulting in 2,427 units available for certificate holders. The report indicated that 81% of Certificate of Preference holders identified as Black or African American, with a substantial number of applicants falling within low-income brackets.

The meeting also addressed the challenges faced by applicants, particularly the disparity between those who applied for housing and those who successfully rented or purchased units. It was noted that many applicants apply for multiple units, leading to a lower success rate as they often decline offers after being selected in the lottery system. The discussion emphasized the importance of addressing income requirements, which can disqualify potential renters.

A key proposal discussed was the reinstatement of the fire displacement subcategory, which had expired in 2020. The recommendation included extending the eligibility period from three to six years to align with other preferences and making the reinstatement retroactive to January 1, 2021. This proposal was met with support from public commenters, including a representative from the North Beach Tenants Committee, who shared personal accounts of the challenges faced by tenants displaced by fire.

The meeting concluded with a call for public comments, reflecting community engagement and support for the proposed amendments to the housing preferences. Overall, the discussions underscored the ongoing efforts to improve access to affordable housing in San Francisco and the need for continued evaluation of the effectiveness of these programs.