This practice guide is focused on four themes associated with designing and implementing selection preferences, especially selection preferences for local residents, in affordable housing programs, including affordable rental and homeownership programs. Part I discusses general program eligibility requirement. Part II examines program requirements directly associated with selection preferences. Part III introduces essential fair housing principles and civil rights standards in affordable housing programs. Part IV presents the analytical techniques a housing provider might use to understand the civil rights effect of selection preferences that favor local residents, and discuesses methods of designing selection preferences in light of civil rights considerations.