Building Futures: 56 New, Affordable Units Unveiled at Placita Dolores Huerta
The Placita Dolores Huerta Grand Opening ribbon cutting by (left to right): Ortensia Lopez, CHOC Board Chair, Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez, CHOC CEO Manuela Silva, and CHOC Board Member Robert Apodaca; joined by members of CHOC leadership, honored speakers, and financial partners. Photo by Noé Montes Photography (May 2, 2024).
A historic day for Placita Dolores Huerta’s resident families.
On May 2nd, CHOC joined HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez, Mayor Steven Hernandez, and City of Coachella and Riverside County officials to mark the successful completion of CHOC’s latest affordable housing complex, in front of more than 100 guests and attendees.
(Coachella, CA) - It’s the beginning of a new chapter for Placita Dolores Huerta’s working resident families, one that CHOC CEO Manuela Silva, called “a miracle.” The complex’s 56 apartments are already fully occupied.
Named in honor of the legendary labor activist, a driving force behind America’s largest farmworker movement, Placita Dolores Huerta broke ground in 2022, at a ceremony attended by the now 94-year-old Dolores Huerta; this community aims to create a sustainable, safe, and high-quality resident experience, inspired by Ms. Huerta’s lifelong work supporting farmworker and other, marginalized communities.
Event speakers shared their excitement and passion for this complex, as well as the further creation of new affordable housing in Coachella and the greater Coachella Valley. The lineup included Ms. Silva, California Department of Housing & Community Director Gustavo Velasquez, City of Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez, Coachella Valley Unified School District Board Trustee Joey Acuña, City of Coachella Councilmembers Denise Delgado and Dr. Frank Figueroa, and Kenny Rodgers, Deputy Market Director for the Low-Income Investment Fund (LIIF), and our event MC.
Moving In: New Beginnings for Families
For those unfamiliar with affordable housing, a first question often centers around the people who move into and qualify for these kinds of affordable communities. “It’s farmworkers, it’s hospitality workers, it’s students,” said Mayor Hernandez. “It’s important that they all have a place to call home, that’s dignified, because a home is (the) foundation to build your life on.”
The enthusiasm felt by policymakers and residents alike underscores the pressing need for more multifamily affordable housing in the greater Coachella region. In the lead up to our event, emotions expressed by newly moved-in residents highlighted the significant impact these affordable homes are already having on residents’ lives, health, mental health and overall sense of security, sustainability, and belonging.
Placita Dolores Huerta was constructed on land previously occupied by a portion of the Coachella Valley Apartments (these structures were removed and residents were temporarily relocated during construction). Many families now residing at Placita Dolores Huerta were former Coachella Valley Apartments residents.
The overwhelming need for more affordable housing in Coachella Valley became all the more evident near the close of our event. Some Coachella Valley Apartment residents stated they didn’t qualify to live at Placita Dolores Huerta, due to their over-income status (in relation to the 30-60% average median income (AMI) required for Placita Dolores Huerta residency). We’re grateful for the immediate assistance of Mayor Hernandez, CHOC CEO Manuela Silva, and other city and county officials, who engaged with residents to discuss their concerns onsite and in real time.
As for the future, CHOC hopes to secure financing for a second phase of the PDH development. This new phase would roughly double the total number of units, potentially providing more qualified, local residents the opportunity to reside there.
Heather Vaikona, Lift to Rise President & CEO, on "Housing As A Human Right." Filmed by Conduit Studios at the Placita Dolores Huerta groundbreaking in Coachella, CA. (April 29, 2022).
Beyond Four Walls: Impactful Resident Services
“Today, we dedicate these buildings to the families [who] are now going to call it their home,” said Silva.
Indeed, CHOC’s plan for Placita Dolores Huerta goes well beyond groundbreaking, construction and the completion of new structures. The building and strengthening CHOC’s relationship with PDH residents, through ongoing, direct resident services, is when CHOC’s mission is truly actualized.
CHOC Community Impact provides critical resident services, including on-site emergency food banks, clothes exchange programs, summer lunch programs, resume workshops, after school programs, and job referral programs, all ensuring support for residents across CHOC’s California communities.
Community Impact’s ultimate goal is to help residents become self-sufficient, building more sustainable lifestyles for themselves and their families.
Photos courtesy of Noé Montes Photography and Amahirani Reyes, CHOC Impact Youth Services Program Manager (May 2, 2024 at Placita Dolores Huerta)
Looking Ahead in Coachella
“We’re grateful for these 56 new units of beautiful homes,” said Kenny Rodgers of Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), “and we know the work of building more decent, safe, and affordable housing must not stop here.”
The grand opening of Placita Dolores Huerta marks a milestone in the journey towards more affordable housing and community growth in Coachella and the Coachella Valley. This development not only honors the legacy of Dolores Huerta, but delivers on CHOC’s mission to create dignified and stable living environments for working families.
With this first phase already making a profound community impact, CHOC remains hopeful for more in the future.
“Placita Dolores Huerta highlights CHOC’s unwavering commitment to creating housing that’s focused on inclusivity, providing a secure and reliable place people can call home,” said Joy Silver, CHOC’s Chief Strategy Officer. “Our goal is to make communities like this the norm, not the exception.”
CHOC remains committed to building stronger, more inclusive, affordable communities for California’s working families, seniors, and more.
Founded in 1984, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC) is a non-profit affordable housing developer, energy, services and property management provider headquartered in Fairfield, CA; we create and manage equitable communities for individuals, families, seniors, and those with special needs. CHOC believes that economically integrated affordable housing is key to self-sufficiency and achievable with enriching, supportive programs that instill pride in residents, stabilize families, and improve local economies. Visit CHOCHousing.org.