LAFCO authorizes RFP to study a municipal housing agency pilot after commissioners cite 2020 voter mandate

The Local Agency Formation Commission authorized the executive officer to develop and issue a request for proposals to study a municipal housing agency pilot, approving the motion by roll call.

Commissioner Dean Preston framed the RFP as a necessary step toward producing city‑owned, mixed‑income housing for working families and said the action builds on voter authorizations approved in 2020. Preston told commissioners that "74% of San Francisco voters voted to authorize specifically to authorize the creation of up to 10,000 units of municipally owned housing," and said the RFP would help define structures and departmental changes needed to enable city‑owned housing.

Policy analyst Samurai said the draft RFP would seek a qualified consultant to review domestic and international municipal housing models, convene at least three focus groups and six public expert meetings, produce a final report including recommended agency structure for a pilot, staff a working group, and hold a symposium. Samurai outlined a timeline that would finalize and issue the RFP the week after the meeting, set a proposals deadline in February, aim to approve the contract by mid‑March and start work shortly after; the study is expected to run about seven months, with a symposium scheduled before the end of the year.

Commissioner Shanti Singh and others raised questions about outreach and the number of focus groups; staff said the RFP sets a floor for engagement and bidders often propose additional outreach. No public speakers commented on the item. The motion to authorize the executive officer to issue the RFP was moved by Commissioner Dean Preston, seconded by Commissioner Hope Williams, and approved unanimously by the three commissioners present.