HomeMy WebLinkAboutPresentation Public CommentNo. California | Community Housing Opportunities Corporation So. California | Community Housing Opportunities Corporation
5030 Business Center Dr, Suite 260, Fairfield, CA 94534 2121 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Ste 2, Palm Springs, CA 92262
P: 707.759.6043 P: 760.290.8334
May 23, 2024
RE: May 23, 2024 City Council Meeting, Presentation A: LIFT TO RISE 2024-26 ACTION PLAN
Dear Mayor Bernstein, Mayor Pro Tem deHarte, Councilmember Garner, Councilmember Holstege, and
Councilmember Middleton,
I write to you today on behalf of Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC) to urge the
Council to prioritize affordable housing development in Palm Springs and endorse Lift to Rise’s 2024-
2026 Action Plan, presented at the May 23 City Council Meeting.
The Action Plan is a roadmap co-created by members of Lift to Rise’s Housing Collaborative Action
Network (CAN), including staff from my organization and the City of Palm Springs, that outlines
collective contributions over the next two years to achieve the initiative’s goal of reducing rent burden
in the Coachella Valley by 30% through the production of 10,000 affordable housing units by 2028.
The Housing CAN’s efforts so far have transformed what is possible in terms of affordable housing
development in the Coachella Valley. Prior to 2018 when Lift to Rise established the Housing CAN
alongside Riverside County and other partners, an average of only 38 units of affordable housing units
per year were being built in the Coachella Valley. Now, over 1,200 units are under construction with
thousands more in early stages of the development process. Over the last two years, Lift to Rise and the
Housing CAN have also committed over $26 million in loans to 11 affordable housing projects through
the We Lift Housing Catalyst Fund and mobilized over 1,700 residents to contact their representatives in
support of affordable housing projects and policies.
Several of CHOC’s staff participated alongside more than 70 other partners in the Housing CAN in the
creation of this Action Plan over a months-long facilitated process. The plan is comprehensive, rooted in
data and community listening, organized around concrete and tangible results, and recognizes that
everyone, no matter their interests or expertise, has a role to play in addressing the Coachella Valley’s
housing affordability challenges. The Action Plan will also help local jurisdictions like Palm Springs meet
their affordable housing obligations from the State of California.
CHOC is a warm, proud and humanitarian organization, founded to create and inspire positive change
for and within the families, communities and regions it touches. Our mission is to increase the available
supply of affordable housing and to improve the quality of life of very low-, low- and moderate income
households by: 1) developing high quality, affordable, and environmentally sensitive housing; 2)
advocating and promoting affordable housing programs; 3) using all corporate resources efficiently and
prudently; 4) facilitating effective communication among board, staff and customers. These aspects of
our mission align with the core strategies outlined in the Action Plan.
We have several affordable housing projects underway in the Coachella Valley, including a project in the
City of Palm Springs, and participating in Lift to Rise’s Housing CAN helped us foster relationships with
local city partners, community organizations, and other affordable housing developers active in the
05/23/2024
Public Comment
Lift to Rise Presentation
No. California | Community Housing Opportunities Corporation So. California | Community Housing Opportunities Corporation
5030 Business Center Dr, Suite 260, Fairfield, CA 94534 2121 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Ste 2, Palm Springs, CA 92262
P: 707.759.6043 P: 760.290.8334
region. As a Housing CAN member and co-creator of the 2024-2026 Action Plan, CHOC urges you to
continue to work with Lift to Rise and the Housing CAN to prioritize affordable housing development in
the City of Palm Springs by publicly endorsing the Action Plan. The City of Palm Springs’ commitment to
addressing housing affordability challenges is crucial to the success of the plan and a thriving Coachella
Valley.
Thank you for your consideration,
Vince Nicholas
VP Real Estate Development
Community Housing Opportunities Corporation
05/23/2024
Public Comment
Lift to Rise Presentation
From:Vince Nicholas
To:City Clerk
Subject:CHOC Support Letter - Lift To Rise 2024-26 Action Plan
Date:Thursday, May 23, 2024 1:00:53 PM
Attachments:image002.png
image003.png
CHOC - Lift To Rise 2024-2026 Action Plan Support Letter 5-23-2024.pdf
NOTICE: This message originated outside of The City of Palm Springs -- DO NOT CLICK on links or open attachments
unless you are sure the content is safe.
Dear City Council,
Please see attached CHOC’s support letter for Lift To Rise 2024-26 Action Plan.
Sincerely,
Vince NicholasVP Real Estate DevelopmentCommunity Housing Opportunities CorporationGreen Valley Executive Center5030 Business Center Drive #260Fairfield, CA 94534P: 707.759.6043 x 112F: 707.759.6053vnicholas@chochousing.orgwww.chochousing.org
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: this communication and any documents, files or previous e-
mail messages attached to it, constitute an electronic communication within the scope of the
Electronic Communication Privacy Act, 18USCA 2510. This communication may contain
non-public, confidential, or legally privileged information intended for the sole use of the
designated recipient(s). The unlawful interception, use or disclosure of such information is
strictly prohibited under 18 USCA 2511 and any applicable laws. If you are not the intended
recipient, or have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately
by telephone at CHOC, 707.759.6043, and delete all copies of this communication, including
attachments, without reading them or saving them to disk. Thank you.
05/23/2024
Public Comment
Presentation Item 1
No. California | Community Housing Opportunities Corporation So. California | Community Housing Opportunities Corporation
5030 Business Center Dr, Suite 260, Fairfield, CA 94534 2121 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Ste 2, Palm Springs, CA 92262
P: 707.759.6043 P: 760.290.8334
May 23, 2024
RE: May 23, 2024 City Council Meeting, Presentation A: LIFT TO RISE 2024-26 ACTION PLAN
Dear Mayor Bernstein, Mayor Pro Tem deHarte, Councilmember Garner, Councilmember Holstege, and
Councilmember Middleton,
I write to you today on behalf of Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC) to urge the
Council to prioritize affordable housing development in Palm Springs and endorse Lift to Rise’s 2024-
2026 Action Plan, presented at the May 23 City Council Meeting.
The Action Plan is a roadmap co-created by members of Lift to Rise’s Housing Collaborative Action
Network (CAN), including staff from my organization and the City of Palm Springs, that outlines
collective contributions over the next two years to achieve the initiative’s goal of reducing rent burden
in the Coachella Valley by 30% through the production of 10,000 affordable housing units by 2028.
The Housing CAN’s efforts so far have transformed what is possible in terms of affordable housing
development in the Coachella Valley. Prior to 2018 when Lift to Rise established the Housing CAN
alongside Riverside County and other partners, an average of only 38 units of affordable housing units
per year were being built in the Coachella Valley. Now, over 1,200 units are under construction with
thousands more in early stages of the development process. Over the last two years, Lift to Rise and the
Housing CAN have also committed over $26 million in loans to 11 affordable housing projects through
the We Lift Housing Catalyst Fund and mobilized over 1,700 residents to contact their representatives in
support of affordable housing projects and policies.
Several of CHOC’s staff participated alongside more than 70 other partners in the Housing CAN in the
creation of this Action Plan over a months-long facilitated process. The plan is comprehensive, rooted in
data and community listening, organized around concrete and tangible results, and recognizes that
everyone, no matter their interests or expertise, has a role to play in addressing the Coachella Valley’s
housing affordability challenges. The Action Plan will also help local jurisdictions like Palm Springs meet
their affordable housing obligations from the State of California.
CHOC is a warm, proud and humanitarian organization, founded to create and inspire positive change
for and within the families, communities and regions it touches. Our mission is to increase the available
supply of affordable housing and to improve the quality of life of very low-, low- and moderate income
households by: 1) developing high quality, affordable, and environmentally sensitive housing; 2)
advocating and promoting affordable housing programs; 3) using all corporate resources efficiently and
prudently; 4) facilitating effective communication among board, staff and customers. These aspects of
our mission align with the core strategies outlined in the Action Plan.
We have several affordable housing projects underway in the Coachella Valley, including a project in the
City of Palm Springs, and participating in Lift to Rise’s Housing CAN helped us foster relationships with
local city partners, community organizations, and other affordable housing developers active in the
05/23/2024
Public Comment
Presentation Item 2
No. California | Community Housing Opportunities Corporation So. California | Community Housing Opportunities Corporation
5030 Business Center Dr, Suite 260, Fairfield, CA 94534 2121 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Ste 2, Palm Springs, CA 92262
P: 707.759.6043 P: 760.290.8334
region. As a Housing CAN member and co-creator of the 2024-2026 Action Plan, CHOC urges you to
continue to work with Lift to Rise and the Housing CAN to prioritize affordable housing development in
the City of Palm Springs by publicly endorsing the Action Plan. The City of Palm Springs’ commitment to
addressing housing affordability challenges is crucial to the success of the plan and a thriving Coachella
Valley.
Thank you for your consideration,
Vince Nicholas
VP Real Estate Development
Community Housing Opportunities Corporation
05/23/2024
Public Comment
Presentation Item 3