Learn about the Displaced Tenant Housing Preference (DTHP)

1. Ellis Act or Owner Move-In Eviction

   Your landlord must have filed the eviction with the Rent Board as an Ellis Act or Owner Move InMove-In in or after 2010. Contact the Rent Board for confirmation.

   • If you were evicted you must have received either :
     • A Notice of Intent to Withdraw (NOI)
     • An Eviction Notice which:
       • States the reason for termination is to enable the owner or relative to move-in or
       • References Section 37.9(a)(8) of the Rent Ordinance
   • If you have already moved out, you are still eligible even if your landlord rescinds the eviction. You would not be eligible if you have not moved out and your landlord rescinds the eviction.
   • You don't need to be on the lease to be eligible, but you  must provide documentation demonstrating you lived in the unit. More information about allowable documents can be found in our Housing Preference and Lottery Procedures Manual under Section 5.4 Documentation.
2. Displacement Due to Unit Extensively Damaged by Fire
   
   For those who have experienced a fire in their apartment and the damage is so extensive the household cannot return to the apartment within six (6) months.
   • Complete the Fire Displacement Verification Form and have it signed by a public safety official. This form is included in the DTHP application.
   • You'll also need to add documents to your application proving your residency at the address where the fire took place. More information about allowable documents can be found in our Housing Preference and Lottery Procedures Manual under Section 5.4 Documentation.
      

3. Unaffordable Rent Increase Due to Affordability Restrictions Expiring

   For Below Maret Rate (BMR) tenants who will pay more than 40% of their income in rent because their BMR affordability restrictions have expired (*as of 2024, this only applies to certain units in the Fillmore Center).

   • The entire household completes and submits the DTHP Application for Expiration of Affordability Restrictions.
   • The entire household submits all supporting income verification and asset documentation listed on the application checklist for each household member 18 years or older.
      
4. Unlawful Residential Units (illegal units)
   After the Planning Commission instructs to remove a residential unit or the Planning Commission denies an application to legalize the unlawful unit, residents displaced from these unlawful residential units are eligible for a DTHP.
   • Each household member can complete and submit a standard DTHP application.
   • The property owner may serve the tenants a notice to vacate, notice to quit, or other notice from the landlord that the tenant must relinquish their leasehold interest in the residential unit, or the tenant’s intent to relinquish their leasehold interest in the residential unit.
   • If you are unsure if you live in an unlawful unit, please call 311 or submit a request online. 

1. Download the correct DTHP application

• For Ellis Act, Owner Move-In, Fire displacement, or Unlawful Residential Unit, download the standard DTHP Application (English). 
• You can also download the application in Español, Filipino, and Chinese.
• For displacement due to fire, you can download the Fire Displacement Verification form separately to be submitted with your application.
• For displacement caused by unaffordable rent due to the expiration of affordability restrictions, download the Expiring Affordability Restriction DTHP application. Don't forget to submit the necessary supporting documents for each household member over 18 years of age.

2. Submit your application to MOHCD

• Submit your application online by uploading to this secure link.
• If you are unable to submit your application online, you can submit in person or you can mail your application and supporting documents to:
  DTHP Program
  Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development
  1 South Van Ness Ave., 5th Floor
  San Francisco, CA  94103