South San Francisco, CA September 16, 2023 by J Lee, 43 yr Resident of SSF
I recently applied to purchase a Below Market Rate unit in Park Station, 1488 El Camino Unit #313 in South San Francisco. I would like to express my concerns about the unfair and unethical treatment that I received. I have lived in SSF for 43 years and I am truly outraged at how the city of South San Francisco conducted the Below Market Rate Housing lottery for 1488 El Camino Unit #313.
I submitted all of the required applications, pre-approval loan forms, and purchase agreement on 9/4/23 before the 9/6/23 deadline to SSF.
On Friday, September 8, 2023 9:51 AM, I received an email from 3rd party consultant representing the City of SSF, stating that I was number “98232”. The email indicated that only 2 people applied, myself and the other applicant “XX”.
Lee was notified of his lottery number in writing 98232, which was the winning number drawn.
About 20 minutes later (10:09 AM), I received another email stating that I was in the number 2 position to purchase the unit. The Consultant said that if I was still interested as a backup, to submit the SSF income verification forms. Sunday night 9/10, I sent her all of the necessary forms.
Monday morning 9/11- this video was posted on YouTube and upon watching the video, they picked the number they gave “98232” (Time Stamp 1:30). (Click HERE for video SSF Lottery 1488 ECR #313 09 08 23 – YouTube)
Lee’s winning number was drawn and documented in a video
I reached out to the Consultant and she said that was a mistake and I should be “98231” instead of “98232”
She said it was a mistake as the numbers are given alphabetically by the last name. She showed me the Excel document dated Thursday 9/7 at 4:13 PM showing that I was supposed to be “98231” and “98232” was “XX”.
I personally feel that this is really unfair and unethical. I understand that the consultant gave me the wrong number but that’s her fault, not mine.
As of Thursday, September 8, 2023 at 4:13 PM, I was number 98231. The next day, the one and only email that she sent me (prior to the lottery) stated that I was 98232. In my eyes, I was only given the number 98232 and that was the number that was picked.
Therefore, I should have won the lottery.
If she made a mistake, I should have been contacted before the drawing, not after the fact. It’s not fair and dishonest if you change the numbers and results after the drawing has been public knowledge.
In addition, the listing agent has been notified that “XX” was disqualified because his/her income level/assets levels exceeded the qualification level stated by the city. This information was given to my RE agent which was later shared with me. After speaking with my agent today we discovered that “XX” appealed the ruling and evaluating the qualifications which bring up the question of the integrity of this system and the third party conducting the lottery.
As a resident of South San Francisco for 43 years, I am truly disgusted. It leads me to question the validity of the previous BMR lotteries and how many other applicants that may have gotten cheated and robbed of a fair and deserving place called “Home”.
J. Lee
There was NO lottery for 109 Longford house that city owned at sold at way below market rate, about $400k less, which these monies could have been better used for low income for their down payment rents or better, sold in a lotter system just like in this example. The purchasers think high income government earners and should have left opportunity for those who cannot afford by a single income or better, sold in a lottery system.
Wow! So much going on we have no idea of inside dealings.
Why wasn’t this house sold in real estate market, gone through process of advertising etc? If that wasn’t possible or by decision, then it definitely should have been placed in lottery system for bidding or winning chance of buying in a fair and equity basis.
Is it possible for Everything South City to publish this on a separate article to ask others of opinions to avoid secret behind scene deals for “fav or connections “? It’s not right!! Thanks
Think the lady in the video picks up the 1st #, looks at it and drops it back in the jar, then picks up the 2nd #. Also, don’t think the # slips were folded in half for secrecy and fairness before announcing the winner. Regardless, Lee was advised assigned # is 98232 and drawn as the winner.
Excel “working” worksheet may be edited at any time and accordingly as User wishes. In this case, looks like it was edited AFTER the drawing ?
This must not be the first case and can easily be happening in other housing placements and lotteries to elderly, single parents, disabled and it is horrible to think that housing placements are prioritized because of connections. All this robs people of fairness and causes years of harm, maybe a life-time.
I cannot imagine the mental toll and anguish all of this has caused J. Lee. Horrible!
I saw that too, at the 1:24 mark, looks like she saw the number on the first slip, dropped it and picked the other slip of paper instead.
Also it is strange that they told Lee he was in the #2 position PRIOR to the drawing – how would they know that??
That’s messed up
There were only 2 applicants?
And the city couldn’t get it right?
Out of 2 applicants?
And Lee was sent his number on Friday, they called it on Monday, but the city said he didn’t win because they switched the numbers on Thursday?
This does not pass the smell test –
BS
Unbelievable!! This should be upheld for the winner Mr. Lee. The city needs to honor the draw given to Mr Lee with itself and the third party being held accountable! We cannot see the continuation of the city and its outside agencies making erroneous decisions that affect its citizens livelihoods. Shame on them!!
That is unconscionable!
Lee should be handed the next available unit of his choosing, no questions asked (as long as his loan is a match)
The City of South San Francisco does not take care of their own it seems
Was XX a long time resident or from out of area? Are their extra points if an applicant is already a stakeholder on SSF?
What does the City say about this? This is completely wrong
So, we have 63,484 residents in South San Francisco, and Resident Lee is number 98,232…unconscienable.
By simple math, Resident Lee should have been number one…that is, if the game wasn’t rigged.
This is how it’s rigged: What our beloved South San Franciscans do not realize is that when our city accepts money from the county, the state or the Federal government, this opens the lottery to anyone who lives in the entire county, the entire state, or the entire USA.
This is NOT affordable, low-income housing for South San Francisco residents!
Please be aware that our city council have sold us out, and they can roll out the advocates for “affordable housing” making presentations at the city council meetings, but it is a sham, and our residents will be left out.
Ms. Marcopulos, are you saying that our South San Francisco city officials don’t have the best interests of the residents as their priority? That might explain why so many mercenaries from outside our city limits appear at SSF Council meetings to advocate for housing in our, not their, city. While you state the obvious, they would prefer we remain oblivious.
it is a long held belief that the City has a different set of lotteries – where they make up the rules – its based on the concept connected only need apply.
If you can, lawyer up or file your own complaint with the San Mateo County District Attorney. Maybe someone had friends in high places. Pure speculation in this case but our city officials historically have had a difficult relationship with ethical behavior. Not that it’s documented, except that it is.
Mr. Lee needs to get an attorney, and report this to the San Mateo District Attorney’s office as fraud.