HOW TO PREPARE FOR APPLICATION CLINICS

STEP 1: BROWSE RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES ON DAHLIA

The DAHLIA SF Housing Portal serves as a central resource for affordable rental housing in San Francisco.  This housing portal makes it easier to find and apply for housing in the City by featuring the City’s entire portfolio of available affordable rentals.  View current listings and see which opportunities interest you by visiting www.housing.sfgov.org. A housing counselor can review the listings with you, help you apply to those that are appropriate for your household, and sign you up to be notified of new opportunities as they arise.

Note: Keep track of the rental units that you or any household member may have applied for in the past. Having your name appear on more than one application for the same property is a cause for disqualification.

STEP 2: INCOME INFORMATION

Come prepared to discuss your total gross (pre-tax) household income from wages, benefits and other income sources for all household members who you intend to live with. Your housing counselor can help you calculate your income for the housing application. You may find it helpful to have income documents with you and/or sent to your counselor for the appointment.

STEP 3: PROOF FOR LOTTERY PREFERENCES

When you apply for affordable housing opportunities in San Francisco, you are entered into a lottery along with all other applicants. Lotteries have preference programs, and if you qualify for a certain preference, you can move up in line and get a higher ranking in the lottery. Your housing counselor can help you determine if you qualify for any preference offered in the lottery. If you do qualify, you will be required to include documentation with your application. Please review the listing to see the applicable preferences for that listing’s lottery.

Proof Accepted for the Live in San Francisco, Live in Neighborhood, and Anti-Displacement Housing Preferences:

One of the following:

• Telephone bill (land line only)
• Cable or internet bill
• Gas bill
• Electric bill
• Garbage bill
• Water bill
• Pay stub (listing home address)
• Public benefits record
• School record
• Letter documenting homelessness

Proof Accepted for the Work in San Francisco Preference:

One of the following:

• Pay stub (showing employer address in San Francisco)
• Letter from employer verifying employment in San Francisco with at least 75% of working hours in the City.

Proof Accepted for the Assisted Housing Preference:

• A copy of your lease showing your address

Proof Accepted for the Assisted Housing Preference:

• A copy of your lease showing your address, AND
• Proof of last month’s rent payment (money order, cancelled check, debit from your bank account, or a screenshot of the online payment)

**You are not required to bring documents, but they are highly encouraged. Applicants without documentation will NOT be turned away** S