Housing, healthcare combine at newly-opened Vista Sunrise II project on DAP Health campus

With the theme “housing is healthcare” prevalent, a new 61-unit affordable housing facility, Vista Sunrise II, officially opened its doors in the 1500 block of North Sunrise Way Tuesday morning, offering residents not only a place to call home but also access to comprehensive healthcare and social services.

The project, developed through a partnership between DAP Health and Coachella Valley Housing Coalition (CVHC), aims to address the critical need for affordable housing while providing integrated health services only steps away.

“Every time I walk through my door here, this beautiful studio, I’m overwhelmed by a sense of gratitude,” resident Sean Johnson said during remarks Tuesday morning.

Johnson, a bisexual man living with HIV, highlighted the importance of stable housing in managing his health.

“I stand here before you today, knowing that I’ll always have a roof over my head, a home for as long as I need. And not only that, I live next door, which is really great. I come down those steps, I can walk right over and … continue to benefit from the life-saving services that they offer here at DAP Health.”

The $31 million development broke ground two years ago. It features a clean, modern design with green-rated units, including solar systems over parking spaces and energy-efficient appliances. A 1,600-square-foot community room and kitchen offer residents a space for socializing and nutrition classes.

The project received funding from multiple sources, including the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee, Wells Fargo Bank, and the city of Palm Springs. Desert Care Network contributed $2.5 million to the project, and Linda Evans, the organization’s chief strategy officer, delivered a celebratory check during the ceremonies.

“Healthcare happens beyond the walls of the hospital,” Evans said. “Housing is healthcare.”

David Brinkman, CEO of DAP Health, echoed the theme while emphasizing the project’s impact on residents’ well-being.

“When we spend a reasonable portion of our income on rent, it frees up the cash we need to feed ourselves, to do self-care and to get education or whatever it is that we want to do to invest in ourselves and in our future,” Brinkman said.

Brinkman also praised the collaborative nature of the project, saying, “It’s Riverside County, it’s the city of Palm Springs, it’s Lift to Rise … and many, many other partners” who made the project possible.

Vista Sunrise II is designed to serve various populations, including those with chronic health conditions and formerly homeless individuals. Thirty units are designated for residents with chronic needs, while the remaining 30 offer transitional housing.

A nearby, similar apartment complex, Vista Sunrise, opened in 2007 and offers housing for individuals who are living with AIDS or are HIV positive.

The Vista Sunrise II facility’s location on the DAP Health campus allows residents easy access to medical, behavioral health, and dental services. Additional amenities include case management, social services, and vocational training programs. Residents pay 30% of their income for rent, with utilities covered.

The development also features outdoor living spaces, including an acre of recreation area and a roof deck with views of Mount San Jacinto.

Maria Song of Interactive Design Corporation, who designed another new affordable housing project in the city, Monarch Apartment Homes, designed the Vista Sunrise II building, describing it as “international style with a slight art deco influence.”

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