Inside look at affordable housing services in Palm Springs and Coachella

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) -- Low-income families and seniors have a new place to call home at the Monarch Apartments in Palm Springs.

According to developers, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation or CHOC, Monarch is the first affordable living community to come to Palm Springs in 14 years.

For Ray Harkleroad, the new housing has given him a chance to live out his retirement off the streets.

"You don't have to deal with the pain of waking up everyday and wondering what’s going to go on for the next day. That's stability. That's what we all desire. And it's not easy to achieve. I've certainly had it before. I've had a wonderful career. I've owned two homes. Things change," Harkleroad said.

For the last decade, he's struggle to find secure housing after his apartment in Desert Hot Springs was sold by the property owner and he subsequently found himself priced out of the area.

"It's the fickle finger of fate, you know could really be a problem to deal with. We were to about $750 after a period of time, which was easily affordable with what I had come in with a little bit of budgeting, of course, but when I came back out it was $1,500," he said.

For him and many others, CHOC housing has been a saving grace.

The community also offers wrap-around services for those in need, with afterschool programs, financial literacy courses, a computer lab and wellness programs available.

"Our goal is to have a multi-generational approach. So whatever message we're sending to the youth, the parents and the seniors, it's the same across the board," Juan Pulido, the Director of Resident Services said.

CHOC says residents who make between 30-60% of their median area income can qualify for the housing.

They're hoping to keep those living paycheck to paycheck off the streets and break the stigma of affordable housing while doing it.

For Harkleroad, it's given him back a sense of normalcy.

"I go to doctor's appointments, spend time with friends and keep active. It's normal."

Placita Dolores Huerta in Coachella is also maintained by CHOC. Both housing communities are currently full and have waitlists.

For more information on CHOC housing, visit https://www.chochousing.org/.

For more information on affordable housing in Palm Springs, visit https://www.palmspringsca.gov/government/departments/housing-community-development/affordable-housing/rental-opportunities.