Committee delays vote on expanding displaced-tenant preference to cover flood displacement

The Land Use and Transportation Committee on May 22 continued for further work an ordinance that would expand the displaced-tenant preference in city affordable housing programs to cover two situations: when a unit is removed as a residential unit by written planning commission approval and when displacement is caused by flooding.

Sponsor Supervisor Matt Dorsey described his office's intention to extend protections to people displaced by flooding and said he had seen multiple flood-related housing incidents since taking office, including what he called a "catastrophic flooding event" at 33 Tehama that displaced an entire building. "So we wanna make sure that we are doing everything we can to include people who are displaced due to flooding," Dorsey said.

Dorsey said stakeholders raised outstanding questions and he moved to continue the item "to the call of the chair" so his office can resolve details. The committee opened public comment on the continuance but received no in-person speakers and had zero callers on the remote line.

Acting Chair Dean Preston moved to continue the item to the call of the chair; the clerk recorded Supervisors Matt Dorsey, Aaron Peskin, and Dean Preston voting "aye," and the motion passed 3-0. The sponsor and committee members signaled they expect to return the refined proposal to committee once details are worked out.