Lift to Rise, a Palm Desert-based nonprofit that coordinates affordable housing efforts across the Coachella Valley, urged the City of Indio to join co-applications for two state-funded housing projects and said municipal participation is critical to unlock available funding.

"We are a nonprofit organization. We're based in Palm Desert," the Lift to Rise presenter said, describing the group's work tracking housing development and providing low-interest loans, technical assistance and community engagement. The presenter reminded the council of a regional 2018 goal to build 10,000 affordable units in 10 years and said the region was ‘‘well on our way’’ with more than 9,700 units in progress in 2025.

Lift to Rise singled out two projects that need city involvement to secure state awards. Sonora Homes, developed by Abode Communities at the corner of Fred Waring and Hoover next to a county facility, is pursuing Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities funding that would pay for required transportation and infrastructure upgrades but requires significant city participation on the application. The presenter said without an award from that program, it would be difficult for Sonora Homes to secure tax credits and proceed.

The Liberty Star Fields project on Highway 111 is pursuing Homekey Plus funding and also requires city involvement on the application, Lift to Rise said.

Council members asked whether "participation" meant direct financial investment or a co-application role. The presenter clarified that the programs require municipal participation on the applications and that certain infrastructure—bike lanes and transportation improvements for the Abode site—would likely require upfront expenditure by the city, with repayment or reimbursement through the state program once the project moves forward.

Several council members and the presenter emphasized wraparound services and homeownership pathways in addition to building apartments. Council members urged that proposals include commitments to on-site services for seniors and families. The Lift to Rise presenter said the organization's WeLift Catalyst Fund has already supported some homeownership units and that the nonprofit hosts workshops connecting residents to county down-payment assistance and mortgage lenders.

Council members expressed support for deeper conversations with Lift to Rise about how the city can help structure applications and service commitments that improve project outcomes.

The presentation did not seek or record formal council action; council members encouraged staff follow-up and further discussions with the developer and Lift to Rise.