Casa Sienna project will add 52 new affordable homes to community
COACHELLA (5/15/26) – State leaders joined community members and partners to celebrate a major milestone in the City of Coachella: the groundbreaking of a 52-unit development of 100% affordable housing for low-income seniors.
The Casa Sienna project, funded in part by $7.7 million from the state’s Transformative Climate Communities Program and led by Chelsea Investment Corporation, will include 46 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom units serving households with incomes ranging from 30%-60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). There will also be a manager’s unit.
It’s the first affordable housing senior complex in the City of Coachella.
“The Casa Sienna development is a prime example of how our Transformative Climate Communities Program empowers our most pollution-burdened communities to transform their neighborhoods,” said Erin Curtis, Executive Director of the California Strategic Growth Council, which administers the TCC Program in partnership with the California Department of Conservation. “Affordable senior housing connected to services and amenities not only benefits seniors but also strengthens the broader community they call home. Today’s groundbreaking is the result of partnerships at all levels and community-led and -centered efforts to build thriving, resilient neighborhoods.”
The development, which broke ground May 14, 2026, serves as a vital safeguard against displacement for fixed-income seniors, delivering premium comfort, comprehensive accessibility, and robust supportive services that empower residents to age with dignity.
“This milestone speaks volumes on the great work of the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) program, which fosters affordable and sustainable housing, energy efficiency, health and economic benefits and mobility options to the people that need it most, “ said Jennifer Lucchesi, Director of the Department of Conservation. “No one can do this work alone and I’m proud to say that our partnership with the California Strategic Growth Council and many others brought the Casa Sienna development to life. It is a big win-win for the community and the TCC program.”
Many key resources are nearby, including a public transit hub, social services, medical facilities, public parks, a community center, library, retail, financial institutions, and a post office.
On-site amenities include a 1,290-square-foot community building featuring a kitchen, restrooms, computer room, plus a property management office and 4,700 square feet of commercial space. Residents will have access to supportive services provided by the Pacific Southwest Community Development Corporation.
The development will achieve full electrification, earn LEED Gold Green Building status, be served by Qualifying Transit, and provide 27 bike parking spots.
The development is one of nine community-led projects and plans funded by a $22.1 million grant from the TCC Program, all of which fall under the Coachella Prospera initiative. Coachella Valley has a well-documented housing crisis with an extreme rent burden: households spend more than 30% of their income on rent, with some spending more than 50%. Coachella Prospera has used community feedback to shape its TCC application, which aligns with the TCC displacement-avoidance strategy and continues the regional commitment to creating more than 10,000 affordable homes to combat the housing crisis. The City of Coachella has been active in this pursuit for years and has been successful in receiving an Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program award, also funded by SGC.
About the TCC Program
The Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program empowers the communities most impacted by pollution to choose their own goals, strategies, and projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution. This is also done with a robust collaborative partnership structure to ensure the community is informed and co-leads in decision-making.
About the Strategic Growth Council
The 10 distinguished members of the council include state-agency secretaries and directors, and three appointed members of the public. The Director of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation acts as its chair.
The council works collaboratively with public agencies, communities, and stakeholders to achieve sustainability, equity, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all Californians. SGC’s collaborative structure helps state agencies prioritize and uplift community voices into decision-making around the types of projects and resources that receive state climate resilience funds.