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OCII staff report on affordable‑housing lease‑ups and plans to improve outreach to Black and over‑income applicants
Summary
Staff reported marketing outcomes for The Avery and other OCII‑funded housing; commissioners asked about a screening issue for a prospective resident, tracking over‑income COP applicants for future homeownership opportunities and improving outreach to Black and brown applicants; MOCD described plans for targeted outreach and hiring an intern to assist.
OCII staff presented informational marketing outcomes reports July 21 on recently leased affordable units and upcoming projects and answered commissioners’ questions about outreach and tenant screening.
Staff said The Avery at Transbay (Block 8) and a 100% affordable podium at 250 Fremont had successful applications and lease‑ups. Commissioners raised a concern that one prospective applicant at The Avery encountered difficulties in screening, and the commission asked what steps staff are taking to prevent similar cases. Pam Sims and Maria Benjamin of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD/MOCD) said staff prioritize access and work to assist applicants through the lease‑up process and invited commissioners to refer any specific cases for staff follow‑up.
Commissioners also asked about tracking COP (Certificate of Preference) applicants who were over income for rental units but might be eligible for upcoming for‑sale homeownership opportunities. MOCD staff said they keep lists of applicants and are developing pipeline options (including a tiered homeownership product at 6 West and other Mission Bay projects) that could accommodate households that fall into income gaps between rental and for‑sale AMI tiers.
Several commissioners noted a relative lack of African American representation among some applicant pools. Maria Benjamin said MOCD has increased focus on racial equity and will expand targeted outreach (including data‑driven social media targeting) and has plans to hire an intern to improve marketing and outreach to Black and brown communities. Commissioners requested virtual community meetings to amplify outreach and staff agreed to participate and to provide a roadmap for outreach efforts.
Staff said they would continue to track interested households and return with updates and that they have taken steps to improve targeted outreach with developers.
