New Placita Dolores Huerta Affordable Housing Construction Begins
Historic groundbreaking event featured guest of honor Dolores Huerta
Placita Dolores Huerta dignitaries at the turning of the dirt. From left: CHOC Board Chair Ortensia Lopez, Treasurer Fiona Ma, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, Dolores Huerta, Coachella Mayor Pro Tem Josie Gonzalez, Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez, Lift to Rise CEO Heather Vaikona. Photo courtesy of Noe Montes.
“Every single human being on this planet should have shelter and decent housing where they can live and raise their children,” said Dolores Huerta, social justice icon and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient. “It is such an important issue, and something that we really have to strive for.”
Huerta, who has fought for decades for fair labor and civil rights, was the guest of honor at the landmark groundbreaking of Placita Dolores Huerta at the Coachella Valley Apartments on April 29th. The new construction of the affordable housing apartments, as well as the overall property, will be renamed Placita Dolores Huerta to celebrate Huerta’s lifelong work advocating for farmworkers.
A sense of solidarity, compassion, and commitment could be felt throughout the crowd as government dignitaries took turns speaking to over 200 attendees.
The unanimous effort to build more affordable housing in the Coachella Valley has been collaborative—bridging between city and state governments, along with financing, construction and design partners, with CHOC as the nonprofit developer.
Photos courtesy of Noe Montes
Heather Vaikona, Lift to Rise Founder and CEO, took the podium as emcee and introduced Mayor Steve Hernandez of Coachella.
“It’s a basic human right,” said Mayor Herenadez, followed by a round of applause. “When you have housing, your quality of life just changes. The way you wake up in the morning changes, and the way you feel in the morning just changes. You have a really good sense of being able to accomplish the work ahead of you, being able to come back and rest your head, and ultimately provide for your family.”
In a recent article published by The Desert Sun, Mayor Hernandez goes on to say:
“It’s essential that we care for those who are feeding all of us. As a first-generation Mexican American son of farmworkers, my childhood was defined by frequent moving and fear of losing the roof over our heads. There is no doubt that stable housing is the foundation that provides security and stability for families to thrive and their children find opportunities for success," he said."
Mayor Hernandez, whose family moved to Coachella in 1948, has personal ties to the community. He shared details on growing up just a few blocks away from the Coachella Valley Apartments, and called out a family member in attendance.
A deeply rooted personal connection to the new Placita Dolores Huerta apartments continued as Supervisor V. Manuel Perez took the stage.
“My parents and their compadres, they were farmworkers. They all came here to achieve the American Dream,” said Supervisor Perez. “If it wasn’t for Dolores, Cesar, and the UFW movement, we would not be here where we are today. I would not be here if it wasn’t for them.”
Supervisor V. Manuel Perez speaks at the groundbreaking of Placita Dolores Huerta. Photo courtesy of Noe Montes.
A deeply rooted personal connection to the new Placita Dolores Huerta apartments continued as Supervisor V. Manuel Perez took the stage.
“My parents and their compadres, they were farmworkers. They all came here to achieve the American Dream,” said Supervisor Perez. “If it wasn’t for Dolores, Cesar, and the UFW movement, we would not be here where we are today. I would not be here if it wasn’t for them.”
Supervisor Perez continued to recall gratitude for the support he received early in life–also in neighboring area—to lead him on the way to becoming the first Latiné supervisor in Riverside County.
After more spirited rounds of applause, California Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia took the stage. “The entire area of Coachella will be transformed by this significant investment,” said Assemblymember Garcia.
The much-needed housing will bring 110 total units to the area with an anticipated completion date of the fall of 2023. The one-, two- and three-bedroom floorplans will provide safe and well-constructed homes for families in Coachella, which has majority Mexican-American residents. These units are financed to remain affordable for 55 years.
Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia speaks at the groundbreaking of Placita Dolores Huerta. Photo courtesy of Noe Montes.
Assemblymember Garcia also reflected on memories of the city in years past: “We went to the elementary school down the street. This was our pathway to walk home.”
“Now we have bike trails here and sidewalks and beautiful parks. It’s thanks to many people who see the value in the community that we’re in today in the city of Coachella,” he added.
Fiona Ma, California State Treasurer, stood next to deliver a few words on Placita Dolores Huerta: “We look for communities that welcome housing. Developing is so difficult here in the state, and some of these projects—they are like a jigsaw puzzle—so many pieces.”
She shared her thanks to all the leaders involved on the project and expressed a continued commitment for more developments like Placita Dolores Huerta. “We are trying to build as much affordable housing equitably across the state of California, so that everyone has access to quality, accessible, affordable housing,” Ma added.
Vision, teamwork, and determination made the $38.3 million Placita Dolores Huerta community a reality. As Dolores Huerta and government officials gathered to turn the dirt, a feeling of community rose among all participants.
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma speaks at the groundbreaking of Placita Dolores Huerta. Photo courtesy of Noe Montes.
Ortensia Lopez, Chair of CHOC’s Board of Directors, reaffirmed the sentiment of the day:
“Everybody should have a stable home to live in and raise their family so they can thrive in this world,” she said. “Children, seniors, and adults—all of them are impacted when there’s no stable housing.”
Ortensia Lopez, Chair of CHOC’s Board of Directors receives certificate from California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Photo courtesy of Noe Montes.
To close the event, Huerta rose, standing tall and dressed in a traditional Mexican huipil blouse. She shared her personal story of living in affordable housing with her children, who went on to achieve higher education and pursue careers in medicine and law. “In the richest country in the world, the United States of America, we should not have one single person who does not have adequate shelter,” she said.
As applause continued, Huerta delivered a celebratory call to action, beckoning the audience to stand and respond:
“Who’s got the power?”
“We’ve got the power!” “What kind of power?”
“People power!”
“Are we going to use our power to build more public housing?”
“Sí, se puede!”
The chant, which in English means, “Yes, we can,” reverberated through the crowd, echoing tones of empowerment, strength, and above all—hope for a brighter future.
Breaking Ground on Placita Dolores Huerta. Video by Conduit Studios
About The Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC)
Founded in 1984, the Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC) is a non-profit, affordable housing developer based in Fairfield, California with offices in Palm Springs; we create and manage equitable communities for individuals, families, seniors, and those with special needs. CHOC believes that economically integrated 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. Visit CHOCHousing.org.
Contact information:
Please email CHOC Communications at corpcomms@chochousing.org