Heather Vaikona
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heathervaikona.bsky.social
Heather Vaikona
@heathervaikona.bsky.social
Mama of Christian, Elijah and 'Ana • Founder/CEO, Lift to Rise • Trustee, Palm Springs Art Museum • Opinions my own • Love is the motive, but justice is the instrument. ♥️
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
1/2 We’re proud to see our region’s collaborative work on the @latimes.com front pg🧡 With 70+ partners, we’ve grown from building 38 affordable homes a year to 9,300+ in the pipeline across the Coachella Valley. 🏡
Thanks to Riverside County, WHCHC, Senators Steve Padilla, Rosilicie Ochoa Bough, and
May 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
1/2 No matter the highs or the lows, our region continues to build a path forward. We stand committed to do whatever it takes to make the Coachella Valley an affordable and beautiful place for everyone who calls it home.

Our coalition is building thousands of new affordable homes.
April 4, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
The US faces a huge shortage of affordable homes— but the land, funds, and knowledge to address it exist! We need to continue working together to build more housing everyone can afford. 🏠💜 www.lincolninst.edu/publications...
Where to Build and How to Pay for It: Experts Weigh In - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
www.lincolninst.edu
March 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
This is a great opportunity to let Riverside County know that we NEED more affordable housing! 🏡 Take 10 minutes to fill out the survey and help shape our community 🫶🏽
📢 Your Voice Matters! Help us build a 2025 budget that prioritizes equity and the needs of ALL communities in Riverside County.
📝 Take the survey by 3/31/25 and join upcoming community workshops.

📲 Scan the QR code or visit bit.ly/BudgetSurvey2025. Together, we can create equitable change! ✊
March 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
We're part of a coalition urging our representatives in Congress to work with their colleagues and the Trump administration to stop proposed cuts to federal funding that would harm residents’ health and access to affordable housing. Find out more and read our letter at lifttorise.org/news
March 6, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue crowned Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga champions – video
Te Kapa Haka o Ngāti Whakaue crowned Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga champions – video
The team dedicated their performance to Sir Robert Gillies, the last surviving member of the Maori Battalion during WWII
www.theguardian.com
March 2, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
Cuts to affordable housing, essential community services, and programs for low-income residents would harm Riverside County. We’re calling on @repraulruizmd.bsky.social ,
@alexpadilla4ca.bsky.social,
@adamschiff.com, to keep this vital funding!
February 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
Tell Congress 1) They must maintain federal funding for affordable housing and community programs that help people in Riverside County thrive. 2) Funds for the HOME, CDBG, and ESG programs help communities pay for basic needs like housing, & health services & support seniors, children, & families.
February 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
We believe:
🏡 A safe, stable home is the foundation of health, opportunity, and a thriving future.

🧡 Everyone deserves a place to call home, no matter who they are.

🤝🏽 Affordable housing options grow and rent costs drop when we unite across sectors and communities to increase housing production.
February 20, 2025 at 8:47 PM
“Rather than depletion, we find fullness among the easily despised and readily left out. Our wholeness increases when we accompany the demonized and the disposable, so that the demonizing ends..”
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Opinion: The problem with JD Vance's theology of mass deportation
On immigrants, the vice president may have missed what St. Ignatius tells us: 'God is always greater.' In this case, greater than an ordered, hierarchical notion of love.
www.latimes.com
February 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
"Consultant Adam Fowler noted that while Palm Springs has strong brand recognition and robust airport infrastructure, rising housing costs create obstacles for service workers and young professionals"
February 17, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
The dual elements of this new perspective are that *systems change matters as much as scale* and that *community voice is critical to effective community development.*
A New Blueprint for Financing Community Development (SSIR)
The traditional model of community development finance is limited by market conservatism and a focus on scale, rather than local control. We need a new paradigm that prioritizes impact over scale, emp...
ssir.org
November 26, 2024 at 2:55 PM
Reposted by Heather Vaikona
desert sky
February 1, 2025 at 2:02 AM