OCII staff report progress and challenges implementing descendant preference under AB 1584

At the Nov. 1 OCII meeting Director Kozlowski and Pam Simms, senior development specialist in the housing division, updated the commission on implementation of the certificate-of-preference (COP) program for descendants of households displaced by redevelopment, following Assembly Bill 1584 (AB 1584).

Simms said AB 1584 passed in 2021 and took effect in January 2022. MOCD has been accepting applications since January and is working with OCII to develop city legislation that would expand the descendant preference to city-funded affordable housing units (currently outside the state law’s scope) pending Board of Supervisors approval in 2023.

Simms provided usage statistics: as of Sept. 27 MOCD had received 130 applications for the descendant preference; 43 certificates had been issued, 38 were denied and 40 applications remained in process. Simms said denials were primarily due to insufficient documentation to prove lineage to a displaced household member; applicants may submit additional documentation for reconsideration.

Commissioners requested further support and outreach and asked staff to provide additional updates. Director Kozlowski and staff said they will continue coordination with MOHCD (the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development) and indicated staff may provide a future informational memorandum summarizing programs, services and metrics to help applicants and affected households access resources and understand phases of implementation.

The commission did not take action on policy changes; staff framed the update as informational and work in progress as city-level expansion is pursued.