OCII outlines $565.8 million program budget, says new tax‑increment bond will fund affordable housing

The Office of Community Investment and Infrastructure presented its fiscal‑year 2021–22 program budget to the Board of Supervisors’ Budget & Appropriations Committee on June 14, saying the agency plans roughly $565.8 million in direct spending and expects a new tax‑increment bond to fund a major share of affordable housing in Mission Bay and the Hunters Point Shipyard.

Sally Orth, OCII’s interim executive director, told supervisors the budget’s largest use will be affordable housing spending and that a planned bond would finance more than 300 affordable units in Mission Bay and Shipyard Phase 1. Orth said the agency also expects to use property‑tax revenues, existing fund balances and bonds to cover other operating and capital costs and to pay infrastructure reimbursements.

Orth highlighted several projects and programs the budget will support: completion of Park P3 in Mission Bay, design work for Block 3 park in Transbay, interim activation of the former temporary Transbay terminal site, upgrades to artist studios in the Shipyard, and community‑benefit programs for Bayview Hunters Point, including scholarships and contractor assistance. She said OCII would continue servicing its debt portfolio and maintain roughly 55 funded positions.

Orth told the committee OCII will issue one of the bonds to fund affordable housing and infrastructure commitments, and she emphasized improved financial disclosure and a new debt policy to increase transparency for investors and community members. The agency also plans a new website to make annual reporting and local‑hire outcomes easier to access.

Supervisors questioned OCII about the timing and geographic targets for bond‑funded housing and asked about equity and local‑hire outcomes. Orth said OCII has increased awards to small, minority‑ and women‑owned businesses this year and will continue to prioritize equity in contracting and hiring. Orth also said OCII is exploring how to expand language access and racial‑equity training inside the agency.

OCII’s presentation concluded with the agency committing to more community engagement and clearer, public reporting on its enforceable obligations and development schedules. Orth said the board would see bond‑issuance details and that OCII would appear for follow‑up questions at upcoming hearings on departmental budgets.

The committee moved item 8 (the OCII budget and bond authorization) to the full Board with a positive recommendation; the motion passed by roll call vote.

What’s next: OCII said bond documents and specifics will be shared in follow‑up hearings; the full Board will receive a recommendation when the committee refers the item.

Sources: OCII presentation to the Budget & Appropriations Committee on June 14, 2021; statements from OCII interim executive director Sally Orth.