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Housing Authority amends voucher administrative plan to add site-based lists and referrals for two developments
Summary
The San Francisco Housing Authority Commission on Jan. 23 approved amendments to its Housing Choice Voucher administrative plan to add two project-based voucher properties to the authority’s PBV list, create a site-based waiting list at Hunters View Block 56 tied to Sunnydale right-to-return considerations, and allow pre-referral applicant questionnaires to confirm basic suitability before referral.
The San Francisco Housing Authority Commission on Jan. 23 approved amendments to its Housing Choice Voucher administrative plan to add two project-based voucher (PBV) properties to the authority’s PBV list, create a site-based waiting list at Hunters View Block 56 tied to Sunnydale right-to-return considerations, and allow pre-referral applicant questionnaires to confirm basic suitability before referral.
The changes, presented by Linda Mason, general counsel, were prompted by two developments scheduled to come online soon: 600 Seventh Street and Hunters Point Shipyard Block 56. Mason told the commission the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development would provide referrals to meet existing PBV commitments, and that both properties would be added to the authority’s PBV spreadsheet in the administrative plan.
Mason said the proposed questionnaire is intended only to collect basic information (bedroom size, current income) to avoid referring applicants who are obviously ineligible for a given tax-credit unit; she said, “we want to be very, very clear that this is not a rescreening.” She described the measure as consistent with the authority’s existing practice and precedent that referrals come from a government agency rather than a developer or owner.
Commissioners asked procedural questions about committee review; staff said the amendments had gone through committee the prior week and were recommended for full action. During public comment a resident urged the authority to provide orientations explaining what it means to be on a wait list and to train staff who review preliminary questionnaire answers so that applicants are not improperly disqualified.
The commission voted by roll call to approve the resolution. Commissioner Mary Anne Pikes voted aye, Commissioner Luana Kim voted aye, Commissioner Leroy Lindo voted yes, and President Joaquin Torres voted aye.
The approved changes add the two properties to the agency’s public list of PBV properties, establish a site-based wait list for Hunters View Block 56 to preserve a right-to-return linked to Sunnydale, and permit the authority to collect limited screening questions before referrals are sent to owners. Staff said the amendments are not intended to alter other programs and do not constitute a new screening process.
Staff directed that the detailed proposed text appear in the administrative plan amendment packet (staff report starting on page 59) and said they would continue coordinating with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development and developer partners as the properties lease up. The commission did not amend the staff draft at the dais.
Ending: Staff said they will implement the plan changes and return to the commission with any subsequent operational issues; the administrative-plan language approved at the meeting will govern referrals and the new site-based wait list for the properties named in the resolution.
