Residents and would-be bidders for the city's affordable housing portfolio testified yesterday before a City Council committee working to determine guidelines for the sale of a dozen properties.

The council is considering a resolution that would ensure that the properties will remain affordable and not be converted into market-value housing.

The city is selling leasehold interest for periods of 50 to 75 years but is maintaining ownership of the land.

Guidelines in the resolution range from requiring bidders to guarantee the rental units will remain affordable for the life of the property to setting preferences for nonprofit companies that have a successful history of managing affordable properties for fixed-income renters.

More than a half-dozen residents living in affordable housing properties showed up yesterday to speak in support for the resolution.

The residents, some of whom spoke in Chinese and Korean, expressed gratitude that the city was working hard to ensure that their homes will remain affordable.

"As you have heard today, expressed in any language, pass resolution 8-108," said Anthony Marlin, a resident of the 89-unit Chinatown Manor.

The Rev. Bob Nakata, a leader of Faith Action for Community Equity, who collaborated with the city in putting together the resolution, said, "It will take a certain amount of political will to keep to these policies.

"We want to make sure the residents are allowed input to changes affecting their lives."

The guidelines also would ask prospective operators to outline their current financial condition as well as conduct five years' worth of expense projections and operating costs.

The council's executive matters committee also debated guidelines for selling the leasehold interest and policies governing the quality of buyer that can bid for portions of the county's affordable housing portfolio as the city continues an initiative to sell off the properties.

The city wants to turn over management of its affordable housing properties — with nearly 1,300 units — to private entities.

"I would hate to turn over a number of properties to someone with no experience. I think that's a risky proposition for the residents," said Cindy Aylett, the mayor's project review manager. "We support this resolution's intent and there are some details we should take a closer look at."

The full council will vote on the guidelines June 4.