OCII extends Certificate of Preference until agency completes affordable-housing obligations; forms working group

The Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure voted 4-0 on Dec. 31 to extend residential Certificate of Preference (COP) certificates until OCII completes and transfers its agency-assisted affordable housing obligations to the City and County of San Francisco.

The extension, presented as a substitute resolution by staff, was recommended because OCII staff said there remain roughly 4,290 agency-assisted housing units to develop, with more than 3,000 expected in the Candlestick Point/Hunters Point Shipyard Phase 2 project and many deliveries likely occurring after 2025. Pam Sims, a senior development specialist in OCII’s housing division, told commissioners that extending the COPs through the completion and transfer of those units allows certificate holders access to forthcoming below-market housing pipelines.

The commission also approved forming a working committee—limited to two commissioners plus additional public members—to review the COP program and recommend changes. Commissioner Brackett moved the substitute resolution to extend residential certificates; Commissioner Scott seconded and the roll-call vote was 4 ayes. Commissioner Brackett then moved to authorize the committee; the commission approved that motion by the same margin.

Members of the public who testified during the item urged broad outreach and, in some cases, permanent or hereditary extensions. Oscar James, a Hunters Point resident, asked OCII to locate and notify certificate holders who may not know they have COPs. Richard Hashimoto described long-term losses in Japantown during redevelopment and urged that extensions allow certificates to be passed to descendants. Lauren Demartini of Bay Area Legal Aid said extending the program and considering eligibility expansions are steps toward addressing displacement caused by federally funded urban renewal.

Staff answered commissioners’ questions about scope. Interim Director Orth and Pam Sims said the current action applies to residential certificates eligible for below-market-rate units in OCII projects; market-rate or business certificates would require separate program changes in the future. When Commissioner Brackett asked for a count of COPs issued in Japantown, staff said they did not have an exact number and would follow up.

The commission’s actions: approval of the substitute resolution to extend residential COP certificates until OCII completes its affordable-housing obligations, and authorization for the commission president to appoint a working committee to review and recommend program changes. The commission took both votes without dissent.