The Palm Desert City Council voted unanimously on Dec. 11 to reallocate available Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to address a documented flooding and drainage problem at Taos Palms Apartments.

Development-services management analyst Lorena Ritchie told the council the city had an entitlement for fiscal year 24–25 and identified $14,987.64 in currently available funds plus a prior Housing Authority award of $217,756.47. Staff recommended directing the full available total — $232,744.11 — to immediate public‑infrastructure corrective work at Taos Palms to benefit low- and moderate‑income residents; council approved the reallocation 5-0.

Staff said Taos Palms was prioritized after bid preparations for another property revealed greater urgency at Taos Palms; the reallocation aims to maximize the community impact of federal funds and address safety and habitability concerns quickly.

Next steps: staff will proceed with procurement and corrective construction work at Taos Palms in coordination with the Palm Desert Housing Authority and report back on project progress and expenditures.