Palm Springs Planning Commission Approves 115-Unit Affordable Housing Project

The fully affordable apartment complex will include a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units across four buildings.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:15pm

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The Palm Springs Planning Commission unanimously approved a 115-unit affordable housing project proposed by Pacific West Communities. The project will be located on a 4.04-acre lot and include amenities like a pool, dog park, and play area. The developer requested waivers to the city's height and density requirements under the state's Density Bonus Law, which the commission approved with a few minor requests.

Why it matters

This project is part of a broader effort to address the affordable housing shortage in the Coachella Valley, with Pacific West Communities having nearly 2,000 affordable units constructed or in the works across the region. However, some residents have raised concerns about the concentration of affordable housing and supportive services in one area of Palm Springs.

The details

The 115-unit apartment complex will feature a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units spread across four three-story buildings. Pacific West Communities requested waivers to the city's height and density requirements, allowing the project to reach 30.3 feet in height and 22.6 dwelling units per acre, above the typical limits. The Planning Commission unanimously approved the project's development permit with a few minor requests, such as adding benches and potentially tweaking one of the buildings.

  • The Planning Commission approved the project on Tuesday, January 28, 2026.

The players

Pacific West Communities

The developer proposing the 115-unit affordable housing project in Palm Springs. The company currently has almost 2,000 affordable units constructed or in the works across the Coachella Valley.

Palm Springs Planning Commission

The local government body that unanimously approved the development permit for the 115-unit affordable housing project.

Glenn Mlaker

The associate planner for the City of Palm Springs who stated that determining whether there is an overconcentration of affordable housing in an area is not part of the Planning Commission's purview when approving a project.

Desert Highland Gateway Estates neighborhood residents

Some residents of this neighborhood expressed concerns about the concentration of affordable housing and supportive services in their area of Palm Springs.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Architectural Review Committee will review the apartment complex's landscaping, building elevations, and proposed walls and fencing at a later date.

The takeaway

This affordable housing project is part of a broader effort to address the shortage of affordable units in the Coachella Valley, but it has raised concerns from some residents about the concentration of such housing and services in one area of Palm Springs. The city will need to balance these competing priorities as it continues to approve new affordable developments.