Impact Report
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Rising for each new day.
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Over the past two years, we’ve continued to navigate through uncertain times by leaning into each other and moving toward a hopeful vision of the future where everyone in the Coachella Valley is healthy, stable, and thriving.
The outcomes of this collaborative effort are astounding. Thousands of local residents are engaged in advocacy to bring affordable housing and economic opportunities to their community. More than $44 million in capital is now available to spur new affordable developments. And more than 7,200 new affordable housing units are planned or already under construction.
Together we are redefining what’s possible when we act with purpose and passion.
Every day, our community faces obstacles. Some are new, some are old. Some are deeply private, and some are widespread public struggles. But together we are rising with each new day.
For the love of each other. No exceptions.
Heather Vaikona, President and CEO
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Our 2022-24 Action Plan moved us even closer to our ultimate 10-year goal of seeing 10,000 new affordable housing units built in the Coachella Valley by 2028 and reducing the number of rent-burdened households regionally by 30%. Key results from the Action Plan include:
- The Affordable Housing Pipeline Portal, a new publicly available online tool, maps and tracks affordable housing development in the Coachella Valley.
- We Lift: The Coachella Valley’s Housing Catalyst Fund grows to $44 million and reaches more than $26 million in total loan commitments for 891 affordable units across 11 projects.
- Workshops and roundtables hosted by Lift to Rise help cities with pro-housing programs, Housing Element updates, and grants.
- State policymakers work with us to unlock resources and amend rules and regulations to spur affordable housing development.
- A network of committed community members gain skills in leadership and advocacy by participating in Lift to Rise workshops and championing pro-affordable housing policies and projects across the region.
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Lift to Rise’s regional collaboration has driven a significant increase in the local production of affordable housing – from an average of less than 50 units per year prior to 2018 to more than 1,600 units under construction or scheduled to begin construction within six months as of spring 2024.
We monitor the progress on more than 90 affordable housing projects and update the public with the online Affordable Housing Pipeline Portal.
Affordable units in the pipeline by development stage as of January 2024:
7,200+ affordable units planned or underway
1,143 – Conceptually Framed
3,406 – Public Financing Secured
518 – Construction Set to Begin
1,169 – Under Construction
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Coachella Valley residents came out again and again to win support for pro-housing policies, new affordable housing developments, and better economic opportunities in their communities. Our resident engagement work includes:
- 1,787 residents mobilize to contact elected officials in support of affordable housing projects and state budget requests over two years
- Monthly workshops and education clinics draw more than 300 resident participants. Topics in sessions hosted by Lift to Rise include tenants’ rights, homeownership, financial literacy, and community organizing.
- Three active resident initiatives – the Resident Leadership Table, the Community Advisory Committee, and Committees By Cities – add diverse voices to our work and ensure priorities are community-led.
- 25 Indio families facing unlawful eviction win their cases after receiving support in their fight to keep their homes.
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Frank Elmore hasn’t stopped rising to support Lift to Rise’s mission since initially connecting with the work as a financially stressed renter during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Since its launch in 2021, We Lift: The Coachella Valley’s Housing Catalyst Fund has become a vital tool in Lift to Rise’s multifaceted effort to increase affordable housing production. All told, the fund has committed more than $26 million in loans to spark 891 new affordable housing units including multifamily rental, single-family homeownership, and Polanco parks.
Loans Deployed $14,560,000
Loans Obligated $11,800,000
Additional Loan Demand $58,250,000
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“Lift to Rise came through on three different occasions at crucial moments when we thought the project could be on its deathbed. They not only offered the loans but offered the loans at substantially below market rates.”
Anup Patel, of West Hollywood Community Housing Corp., the project’s developer.
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Lift to Rise is the central hub of more than 75 community partners bound together in a shared belief in creating a brighter future for the Coachella Valley by advancing affordable housing and economic opportunities. These partners include all nine local cities, Riverside County, nonprofits, housing developers, advocates, and resident leaders. We want to thank every partner, donor, advocate, and sponsor who has contributed to advancing our mission of creating a future where every Coachella Valley family is healthy, stable, and thriving.
Please see our full list of partners and supporters.
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Lift to Rise has aggregated over $100 million in the last six years, including pandemic response aid, credit enhancement and loan loss reserve capital for We Lift: The Coachella Valley’s Housing Catalyst Fund, and philanthropic grant funds for operations.
Additionally, Lift to Rise deploys resources to partner organizations and supports local municipalities and partners in drawing down federal, state, and private funding.
Follow two years of our impact
2022
2023
2024
