Committee approves code amendment to add live‑work preference in housing lotteries

Supervisor Queen introduced legislation to amend the Administrative Code to clarify existing first and second preferences and to create additional (third and fourth) preferences for city affordable housing lotteries. Queen said codifying a live-work preference will ensure San Francisco residents receive preference over nonresidents when affordable units are offered.

Sophie Hayward of the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development told the committee MOHCD has long applied a live-work preference administratively (documented in the 2007 Inclusionary Housing Manual) and that codification will reduce confusion and apply consistently to both inclusionary and publicly funded affordable units.

Deputy City Attorney John Givner said the ordinance text before the committee includes language already adopted in prior action and that his office will provide a cleaned-up version for the clerk; he requested the committee amend the ordinance title to reflect that the file will focus on the live-work preference. Supervisor Queen moved to accept the title amendment and forward the item as amended; the committee approved both the amendment and the forward motion without objection.

Supervisor Cascale noted equity concerns, warning that preference legislation can advantage some districts over others where site availability differs, but said he would support the amendment. The committee’s unanimous recommendation moves the item to the full Board for consideration.