Dear Indio Planning Commissioners,

I am writing to express my wholehearted support for the Sonora Homes Project by Abode Communities and to encourage the City of Indio to prioritize the urgent need for more affordable housing by approving this crucial development.

The Sonora Homes Project comprises approximately 200 units and a 12,000-square-foot Early Childhood Education Center. It will help hard-working parents and their children gain the stability and security required to lead fulfilling, thriving lives.

The project also aligns with state requirements and significantly contributes to the city’s RHNA obligations. Notably, in the city’s housing element update survey, two-thirds of respondents believed the city should mandate affordable housing in all new residential projects to meet residents’ needs and fulfill the city’s RHNA number allocation.

Currently, more than half (60%) of Indio renters are rent burdened and at least a third are severely rent burdened, spending more than 50% of their income on rent. According to SCAG’s 2016-2045 Jurisdiction-Level Growth Forecast, the population of Indio is forecast to increase to 129,300 residents by 2045, an increase of approximately 43 percent from 2020. There is an immediate need for rapid growth in affordable housing units in the City of Indio.

The City of Indio has a Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) commitment to accommodate:
– 1,793 units for very-low-income households
– 1,170 units for low-income households
– 1,315 units for moderate-income households between 2021 and 2029.

The Coachella Valley’s economy, heavily reliant on tourism, has resulted in significant wealth inequity, compounded by limited investment opportunities and no infrastructure to withstand economic shocks. Pre-COVID, almost two-thirds of renters in the Coachella Valley were rent-burdened, a number that has escalated in the past six months. The cost of living in the Coachella Valley has outpaced household incomes over the past decade, leading to 56% of renter households paying over half of their monthly incomes on rent.

Access to safe and affordable housing is fundamental to a person’s overall well-being and quality of life. Housing instability and cost burdens can have negative impacts on physical and mental health, educational outcomes. By addressing housing needs, cities can contribute to improved living conditions and overall community well-being.

I urge you to support the Sonora Homes Project, recognizing its potential to address critical housing needs and contribute to the city’s long-term growth and well-being.

Thank you for your time and consideration.