Resident Voices: Life at The Monarch Apartment Homes
At Monarch Apartment Homes, a sense of belonging is felt everywhere. Our affordable housing community is more than just a place to live for our residents. For many, it’s a fresh start and a foundation where they can feel secure to build a brighter future. At Monarch, they find not only a safe, well-designed home, but also a welcoming community that supports them at every step.
Today, we’re highlighting the experiences of our residents and our property management staff (Sterling Asset Management), whose contributions help shape Monarch into a supportive, thriving community. Their stories offer a closer look at the impact a stable, welcoming home can have — and why it matters.
Aerial view, Monarch Apartment Homes. Courtesy of Conduit Studios
Resident Stories: Finding Stability, Community, and Hope
Monarch’s residents come from all walks of life. Each has come to Monarch for a different reason — one to find services for her child, another looking for a place where he could plant "two feet on the ground,” and yet another searching for a three-bedroom home for his family at an affordable price. These are just a few of the many stories that remind us that a safe, affordable home can be the foundation for lasting change.
Ray's Story
For Ray, stability is everything. After hearing about Monarch from a friend, he applied and was thrilled to be approved.
“Nothing is as valuable as having two feet on the ground,” he says. “Knowing where your front door is.”
As a new Monarch resident, Ray expresses that his neighbors have been wonderful, and the comfort of having a place he can call home is invaluable. Affordable housing has “made it tenable to live day-to-day, anticipate expenses,” and also provides some flexibility in his budget.
Jeff's Story
When Jeff and his children urgently needed a new place to live, he turned to Monarch. Once he was approved and moved in, he immediately noticed the quality of his three-bedroom apartment.
“There’s nothing that can compare to the quality of it with the price and affordability,” Jeff says. “Being able to have the three-bedroom unit that I have with my kids, at the price point I have it at, is a blessing.”
Jeff remembers the emotional moment he got the call that the apartment was his:
“I literally dropped to my knees and was so happy. That was it.”
He credits Priscilla, our Sterling Asset Management community manager at The Monarch, and the rest of The Monarch team for their compassion and swift action during a difficult time.
Jamica's Story
After moving back to Palm Springs from Arizona to seek better services for her son with autism, Jamica was looking for affordable housing and a sense of community where she could feel her family belonged. As a single mother raising two young children, finding an affordable, supportive environment was critical.
“Being able to live here, it gives him a foundation and a community that we weren’t able to have in Arizona,” Jamica says.
While she was initially nervous about apartment living due to her son's sensory challenges, she found The Monarch community welcomed her with open arms.
“Living in this community, I’m able to not have to spend all of my money on rent, utilities, gas, and food — which is extremely expensive right now,” she says, “so I’m able to put a little bit of something away for [my kids] for college.”
Creating a Welcoming Community: Staff Perspectives
At Monarch, our staff play an important role in supporting our residents, not just when they move in, but also by offering resources, compassion, and a sense of belonging. These efforts help our residents feel truly at home.
Community Manager Priscilla Taboada describes Monarch as “a new beautiful welcoming property that provides a sense of peace for all ages that call it home.” With more than 60 households, each with their own unique needs, her work focuses on “creating a positive, supportive, effective environment with communication where [residents] feel valued and respected.”
Priscilla adds,
“After I go through the lease with them, I look at their faces when I hand them their keys to their new home as I’m saying, ‘Welcome Home.’ I see the feeling of relief washing over them and feel their sense of peace and comfort. That is the reason why I love coming to The Monarch.”
Priscilla works closely with CHOC Impact Resident Coordinator, Heidi Schwartz. Heidi goes the extra mile to build personal relationships with residents.
“Building trust in the community starts with showing up—consistently and authentically,” says Heidi. “I make it a point to be present and visible, whether that means spending time in the leasing office, walking the property, or just stopping to chat with residents.”
Heidi mentions how Monarch’s food pantry is an example of how our community supports residents. Canned goods, drinks, pasta, and snacks are available in the pantry for residents to use as they need. Some residents may also in their own food for donation to help a neighbor who might need a hand.
One resident’s experience stands out to Heidi. She had been struggling with a lot of challenges recently – unemployment, hunger, and custody issues. At first, Heidi says, “She wouldn’t talk much; just got food and went back to her apartment.”
But over time, things began to shift. Their connection grew, and Heidi began helping them with a school project for their degree. Without a car, this resident took the bus to get around, but didn’t have enough money left for meals.
“Thankfully, our on-site food pantry helped this resident immensely,” Heidi says. “I have helped her get hot meals at the community, where to get food from food banks, and along the way, she started to share about her kids, her family, and what she hopes to accomplish after she completes school.”
Maintenance Technician Diego Felix also brings deep care to his work.
“All repairs to me, whether big or small, are important, because I want the residents to be comfortable and secure in their apartment homes.”
One repair in particular stands out to Diego. In the middle of the summer, a resident returned home from work to find her apartment was very hot and her dog was suffering from heatstroke. She called the office in a panic. Diego responded quickly and went over to her apartment to investigate.
“I came to her apartment, and after troubleshooting the A/C system, determined that the thermostat had malfunctioned (cables had come loose), which caused the system to shut down,” he explains.
In the desert, where temperatures can reach extreme levels, a working air conditioner is essential. “The resident was very grateful that the repair took place so quickly and efficiently,” Diego says. Both the resident and her dog were able to return to a safe, comfortable home.
Monarch Apartment Homes. Photo courtesy of Noé Montes
Building a Stronger Community, Together
Within its first year, The Monarch Apartments has become something deeper than affordable housing – it’s become a place where working families can find a support system that meets them with dignity. Whether it’s Jamica, who can now save for her children’s future, or a resident like Ray, who’s getting a second chance at stability, the greater impact of our community expands outward to greater Palm Springs.
Residents look out for one another. Staff members listen. It’s these small acts that make an impact and create an inclusive culture of belonging. At CHOC, we believe that everyone deserves access to a safe and affordable place to call home — and that building housing is just the beginning.
Founded in 1984, Community Housing Opportunities Corporation (CHOC) is a non-profit affordable housing developer, energy, services and property management provider headquartered in Fairfield, CA; we create and manage equitable communities for individuals, families, seniors, and those with special needs. CHOC believes that economically integrated affordable housing is key to self-sufficiency and achievable with enriching, supportive programs that instill pride in residents, stabilize families, and improve local economies. Visit CHOCHousing.org.