Palm Springs opens the Monarch Apartments, the city’s new affordable housing community
Palm Springs’ first affordable housing community in 14 years is now open.
City and county leaders gathered Thursday at the Monarch Apartments for an opening ceremony.
News Channel 3's Bianca Ventura spoke with some residents who are now occupying the apartments. They’re thrilled to be at a complex that’s just minutes from the downtown strip and that has a gorgeous view of the San Jacinto Mountains.
In Palm Springs style–these apartments have some mid-century modern features that complement the city’s style.
At the opening ceremony, we heard from city leaders like Palm Springs Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein – who said affordable housing had been lacking in the city for over a decade.
The city of Palm Springs partnered with the Community Housing Opportunities Corporation – a non-profit affordable housing developer.
Community members and families are now occupying these homes – and we know residents support the community in a variety of fields from – health care – to teaching and hospitality.
"So we have such an incredible community here, but the cost of living here is really high. So we want to make sure that everyone that lives in Palm Springs has an opportunity to thrive and doesn't have to pay 50% of their their income to rent. We want to make sure that there's housing at all different income levels," said Palm Springs Councilmember Grace Garner.
The Monarch Apartments occupy almost 4 acres of land – and 60 units on the southeast corner of N. Indian Canyon and San Rafael Drive.
Financing for the project was provided by the California debt limit allocation, which contributed $21 million — to the $36 million project.
The complex was selected to receive funding through a rigorous process that determines what affordable housing developments are eligible to receive private capital.
Some upcoming housing projects for the city of Palm Springs include a project for senior housing off of Palm Canyon.
Partnership to extend DAP’s housing that’s provided on their campus for people with health conditions that make it difficult to find housing.