Palm Springs City Council Approves Affordable Housing Development
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- February 10, 2019
Unanimous Vote is First in 10 Years
PALM SPRINGS, CA – For the first time in 10 years, the Palm Springs City Council voted to approve a new affordable housing project. The vote was unanimous with accolades from the Mayor and every Council member for the non-profit affordable housing developer, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC), and the project.
The unanimous vote came after many from the community also voiced their support for the 60-unit development at North Indian Canyon and East San Rafael in the North end of Palm Springs.
Acknowledging the months and hours it took to move the project forward, Councilmembers lauded the diligence of City Hall staff and praised CHOC for listening to community concerns and embracing the city’s iconic mid-century architecture in its design.
“This is a priority for us,” said Councilmember Christy Holstege, who co-chairs the Council’s Ad Hoc Subcommittee on Affordable Housing with Councilmember Lisa Middleton. They both voiced their support for additional developments across the city to bring economic diversity to what is often viewed as an exclusive resort destination.
“Very few cities in the state of California are in compliance with state required units for affordable housing,” said Councilmember J. R. Roberts. “It’s not that cities don’t want affordable housing, they do, especially for the people who work in their cities. Many of our very own staff here at City Hall can’t afford to live in Palm Springs. These projects are difficult, very difficult to bring to fruition and we are very fortunate that we are at this place tonight, that we get to not only approve it, but fund it and help it.”
The entire Council praised CHOC for its efforts of community outreach. Councilmember Holstege said, “It’s incredible, the number of people who support this,” waving a large collection of letters received in support of the project.
There were brief public comments from several residents voicing their strong support for the project during public commentary time ahead of the Council’s vote for approval. There were a few residents from neighboring cities voicing support for similar projects in their cities.
“We are extremely grateful to the City of Palm Springs for partnering with us,” said Vince Nicholas, Vice President for Real Estate Development at CHOC. “(The City) has been open and willing to work with us, making a very intricate and difficult process easier. I am so very happy we’ve gotten to this point and believe we are going to provide wonderful homes for families.”
Located on 3.62 acres, The Monarch Apartment Homes development is designed by Interactive Design Corporation, a Palm Springs-based, award-winning architectural firm. IDC Principal Maria Song said, “I want to salute our entire design team. They worked tirelessly to create a design concept that is both unique and blends with the neighborhood. I think because of our team’s efforts it helped the City Council and residents see the value, the beauty and the need for the project.”
Ms. Young also said that she and her partner, architect Reuel Young, are committed to the concept of affordable housing. “The single best way to help people find their equilibrium is to assure their housing, that’s the platform to success. That’s why I want to be a part of this.”
Reacting to the Council’s praise for CHOC’s community outreach and attentiveness to community concerns, Mr. Nicholas said, “We listened to community concerns about fitting into the iconic houses in the neighborhood. We even learned in our community meetings that there is concern for the diminishing monarch butterfly population. So, we will have milkweed plants throughout the landscaping that are favored by the monarch – this community input drove naming for The Monarch Apartment Homes.”
The development’s central park area is being planned around a large water play element with a multi-colored play surface in the shape of a monarch butterfly.
“We are excited that we have the City Council’s approval to move forward,” said Manuela Silva, CEO of CHOC. “We are so grateful to the City of Palm Springs for being supportive of affordable housing. All California cities have an affordable housing crisis and we are delighted to be part of the solution. Our goal is to build beautiful homes for hard working people, many of whom are the supportive backbone of our communities. With this project, we not only house families, we build futures. That’s what affordable housing allows people to achieve.”
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CHOC, founded in in 1984, has housed thousands of families throughout the Northern California region, from Davis to Sacramento to Woodland. CHOC's holistic approach to housing has earned it an award-winning reputation for excellence, both in the design of our buildings and in the sustainable lifestyle our organization brings to communities. CHOC creates equitable communities for individuals, families, seniors and for those with special needs. Our success confirms that affordable housing is key to self-sufficiency and is achievable with enriching, supportive programs that give pride to residents, stabilize families and improve local economies.