Committee backs application seeking pro‑housing designation to boost state funding access

The Budget and Finance Committee voted to forward a resolution supporting San Francisco’s application for the California Department of Housing and Community Development’s Pro‑housing Designation, which can provide preference points when the state reviews competitive grants for affordable housing and infrastructure.

Kira Geisman of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development said the application documents existing local policies (density bonus, accessory dwelling unit programs, HOME‑SF, parking reductions, fee waivers for 100% affordable projects, and an affordable housing trust fund) and that the designation could improve the city’s chances in programs such as the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities and Infill Infrastructure Grant programs.

Supervisors asked about housing element compliance and comparisons with Sacramento (the only city to have received the designation so far). Geisman said the planning department has addressed the first round of state comments and that the city anticipates submitting an updated housing element to HCD in October; she expressed optimism that San Francisco’s application would be competitive.

A public commenter, Eileen Boken of the Coalition for San Francisco Neighborhoods, urged the committee to continue the item and flagged application errors (missing assembly district listing) and concerns about whether the city is in full compliance with state housing law. The committee nevertheless voted to forward the resolution to the full Board with a positive recommendation.

Next steps: The full Board will consider whether to formally authorize the application; Geisman said MOHCD will continue coordination with Planning and HCD and expects to finalize materials for submission.