Placita Dolores Huerta Sees Progress on Construction
Making positive impact a reality in the City of Coachella
Latest construction of Placita Dolores Huerta
“Placita Dolores Huerta offers our residents the opportunity to reside in housing that will provide them with the security and sense of accomplishment they all deserve,” says City of Coachella Councilmember Neftali Galarza. “This new development will provide stability for many who have been patiently waiting for affordable housing opportunities, which will in turn, improve their quality of life.”
Five months after the groundbreaking, our new affordable housing community in Coachella, California, is becoming a reality. Named in tribute to Dolores Huerta, the iconic American labor leader and civil rights activist, Placita Dolores Huerta involves new construction that includes 60 additional apartments.
Huerta, who lived in affordable housing in the past, attended this landmark groundbreaking as our guest of honor. As a globally-recognized social justice icon and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Huerta is a de-facto leader for many Coachella community members, who are primarily immigrants and first-generation; Huerta, who is also known for her work in tandem with Cesar Chavez, has tirelessly advocated for farmworkers’ rights.
Dolores Huerta, American Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist, on Housing As A Human Right | Video by Conduit Studios Media
“Dolores Huerta’s name will forever be recognized and honored in our city,” says City of Coachella Councilmember Josie Gonzalez. “The families that live in this beautiful facility will be proud of their community.”
Government officials agree that the redevelopment and addition of new apartments will bring both much-needed housing and economic growth to the area. “They are not only affordable, but beautiful,” says Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez, who emphasized the positive impact of secure, stable and well-designed housing. “Where people live and how it looks plays a factor on how successful they become.”
The expanded property will serve even more families in need of stable housing. Currently, construction teams are making progress on building the newly envisioned community. “We're doing underground slab work right now,” says Derek Davis, President of davisREED Construction, the firm handling construction of Placita Dolores Huerta, “and then the utilities will be going online.”
Placita Dolores Huerta Renderings Courtesy of the Interactive Design Corporation
After that, he says, progress is anticipated to remain steady going forward. So far, most construction has happened underground, the most challenging stage. Once the framing rises, the building’s structure will be visible to all who pass by, lifting spirits among the local community.
“[We have] great excitement and anticipation for the families who will move into their new beautiful, habitable, affordable, and healthy community in the near future,” says Gonzalez. “They will find stability, consistency, hope and prosperity, all possible by simply having a roof over one's head.”
An enduring commitment to support the City of Coachella community is widespread, demonstrated by many. “It is absolutely our obligation as human beings to care for the safety of one another,” says Heather Vaikona, Founder and CEO of Lift To Rise. “In a very primal sense, that begins with just being able to have shelter.”
Josie Gonzalez, City of Coachella Councilmember, on Housing As A Human Right | Video by Conduit Studios Media
Through a team effort across financial, nonprofit, and government sectors, our $38.3 million community is a model for more multifamily affordable housing in the area. Solidarity is tangible among leaders aiming to make a difference in the lives of working families.
“I was very moved by the outpouring of support at the groundbreaking by the many community stakeholders and government funding partners who conveyed the urgency and significance of the [community],” says Fiona Hsu, Head of Community Development Finance at Silicon Valley Bank. “We won’t let them down.”
More from Fiona Su, Head of Community Development Finance at Silicon Valley Bank: "Getting involved with this project through our Opportunity Zone Fund was a good reminder of the diverse housing needs across the State, particularly the needs of agricultural communities that serve the rest of the State. SVB’s support of Placita Dolores Huerta meets our purpose of fueling innovation for a better world, and a better world is one where everyone may have access to quality, safe, affordable housing." | From left: Todd Fabian (National Equity Fund), Dolores Huerta, Fiona Hsu (Silicon Valley Bank), Vince Nicholas, VP CHOC Real Estate Development. Photograph courtesy of Noé Montes.
Moreover, excitement over the naming of Placita Dolores Huerta has created an outpouring of emotion and support. “Children will grow up in a housing community that celebrates and honors our farmworker families,” says Gonzalez. As a symbol of strength and resilience, Huerta and her legacy will endure across generations
Joy Silver, CHOC's Chief Strategy Officer, on Housing As A Human Right | Video by Conduit Studios Media
Now, due to communities like Placita Dolores Huerta and its counterparts, a new history will be written. “For a long time, most of us grew up in communities (with) the names of past presidents or other local celebrities that did not reflect our heritage,” says Galarza.
“Little Chicanos and Chicanas will now be introduced to Dolores Huerta, the movement, and the idea of organizing to improve our communities, due to the name of the community where they reside.”
Read more about the historic groundbreaking of Placita Dolores Huerta.