City selects West Hollywood Community Housing to develop Jean Autry site; Mission Juniper proposed with 203 affordable units

Palm Springs City Council approved an exclusive negotiation agreement (ENA) with West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation for the surplus Jean Autry Airport parcel, authorizing formal negotiations toward a ground‑leased affordable housing development that the developer calls Mission Juniper.

City housing staff said the site was made available under the Surplus Land Act and noted previous RFP cycles that yielded low interest. West Hollywood Community Housing’s proposal envisions a midcentury‑inspired, intergenerational community of 203 affordable homes combining family and senior units, passive cooling and rooftop solar, on‑site resident services and open space. The project budget is roughly $80–85 million; the developer proposes no City cash subsidy beyond dedicating the city‑owned land. The proposed finance plan relies on layered state, federal and private funds, a request for 51 project-based vouchers and a $3 million Riverside County soft loan to secure long‑term operating stability.

Ariel Bishop Williams, housing services administrator, described unit mix (156 family units and 47 senior units), resident amenities and universal design features for seniors. Staff recommends an ENA so the city can rezone and entitle the property in parallel with the developer’s due diligence. Councilmember Bernstein moved to award the ENA; the motion carried 5–0.

The council asked staff to coordinate early with the airport land use commission (ALUC) and county partners because of the site’s proximity to airport operations and to bring back details on rezoning, entitlements, and timeline. Staff estimated a construction start in 2026–2028 depending on financing and entitlement timing.