Preserving Housing Through Community Ownership Brief

Community ownership through right of first refusal (ROFR) policies offer a practical strategy for shifting control of housing from the open market to residents and community-based entities. These policies require property owners to provide advance notice of a planned sale or if affordability is to expire, giving tenants, qualified nonprofit organizations, or local governments the first opportunity to purchase multifamily rental housing before it is sold on the open market. ROFR policies create a structured pathway to preserve affordability and prevent displacement in neighborhoods experiencing rising housing costs.