Avalos said the program would also help people San Francisco residents. He hopes to introduce the legislation to the board by the end of the month.

"This will be an enormous boon for a lot of working-class communities of color," he said. "We have a huge out-migration of African-Americans in San Francisco, and many African-American households see this as a real strong tool that will enable them to stay in the city."

Richmond City Councilman Tom Butt has supported the eminent domain plan from the beginning -- he calls it a creative and brilliant solution to the city's housing problems. But he says he's not expecting San Francisco or any other city to join Richmond soon.

"We've been two weeks away from having a partner for the last nine months," he said. "So every time some city takes an interest in this, I sort of take it with a grain of salt. It'd be great if it happened but it would also, I think, surprise me."

Butt said even if another city signs on immediately, unresolved legal issues mean it could take years before eminent domain could bail out a single household.

underwater mortgagesunderwater mortgages

San Francisco Weighs Joining Richmond to Help 'Underwater' Homeowners

Richmond Takes Next Step in Eminent Domain Mortgage Plan

City of Richmond to Fight Lawsuit Over Eminent Domain Plans