COP and DTHP Waitlist Protocols for Affordable Housing

The Certificate of Preference (COP) is available to households, and their direct descendants, displaced due to former San Francisco Redevelopment Agency action in the 1960s and 1970s.

COP holders receive the highest priority on waitlists for City-sponsored and OCII-sponsored 100% affordable housing developments. While COP holders receive priority placement, they must still meet all property eligibility requirements, including income limits and any other applicable tenant selection criteria.

The Displaced Tenant Housing Preference (DTHP) is issued to eligible San Francisco households displaced by:

• A no-fault eviction;
• Fire;
• The expiration of affordability restrictions resulting in unaffordable rent; or
• Displacement from an unlawful residential unit.

DTHP holders receive priority placement on waitlists after Certificate of Preference holders and before applicants without a DTHP. As with all applicants, DTHP holders must meet the property's eligibility requirements, including income limits and any other applicable tenant selection criteria.

At any time, an eligible COP or DTHP holder may request to be added to a property's waitlist.

• Certificate of Preference (COP): Add the applicant immediately below all existing COP holders and above all DTHP holders and non-preference applicants.
• Displaced Tenant Housing Preference (DTHP): Add the applicant immediately below all existing DTHP holders and above all non-preference applicants.

Waitlists must remain open to eligible COP and DTHP holders, even when they are otherwise closed to new applicants.

A Certificate of Preference does not expire. A DTHP is valid for six years from the household's displacement date.

Before adding an applicant to the waitlist or leasing a unit, verify the applicant's COP or DTHP status by contacting the MOHCD Lottery Preferences Team using the contact information below.

After executing a lease with a COP or DTHP holder, upload a copy of the signed lease to the MOHCD Lottery Preferences Team by using the secure Box link. Please confirm receipt with the Lottery Preferences Team.

If a unit becomes available, property staff are encouraged to contact the Lottery Preferences Team for assistance identifying interested COP and DTHP holders.

For questions or to verify an applicant's preference status, please contact the Lottery Preferences Team at LotteryPreferences@sfgov.org or call the COP Hotline at (628) 652-5801.

General information is available on the Certificate of Preference (COP) and Displaced Tenant Housing Preference (DTHP) webpages.