June 11, 2025

Affordable Senior Housing in Borrego Springs

Updates from the Borrego Revitalization Meeting, June 2025

At the Borrego Revitalization Meeting on June 5, 2025, held at the Borrego Springs Library, San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond, his staff, and other county officials joined community leaders to discuss major updates impacting Borrego’s future.

Among the speakers was Honorary Mayor Daniel Wright, who presented encouraging news about expanded senior and youth programs—including free meal delivery, wellness services, and medical equipment loans—before outlining progress on the Village Campus Project, a new initiative led by the Wellsprings Community Foundation to build safe, affordable housing for low-income seniors.

Wright’s remarks highlighted how local nonprofits, public agencies, and county leadership are working together to improve quality of life in Borrego Springs.

Remarks by Honorary Mayor Daniel Wright

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In partnership with Meals on Wheels of San Diego County, we are delivering around 500 free meals per month to the homebound folks in the Valley, which allows us a chance to check on their well-being as well as making sure they have healthy meals.

The Seniors Community Center also offers free loans of medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and more. The center offers fitness, wellness, and social programs. Did I mention that everything is free at the senior center?

Supervisor Desmond and his staff have generously supported the youth and senior centers with a Neighborhood Reinvestment Grant in 2024 and now a Community Enhancement Grant in 2025. So we're very, very grateful to Supervisor Desmond and all of his staff, including Candace Yee. Just nothing but gratitude to our county folks.

Moving on to the subject of affordable housing and what we call our Village Campus Project... I want to introduce you to the concept of our new nonprofit that we have founded. It's called the Wellsprings Community Foundation. We are recognized by both the federal and the state as a 501(c)(3) public benefit community corporation.

We have made a lot of progress. We have:

Formed the nonprofit
Hired a developer, Robert Eco, who is very experienced in building low-income housing
Been approved for pre-development funding via a loan from Civic Community Partners
Begun researching additional funding sources such as grants and tax credit financing

At this time, we’re very excited about the progress we’re making. We think it’s a great location—next to the library, post office, sheriff’s department, county park, and the new fire station site.

Regarding the fire station: the location is approximately 4 acres, and we’re in the final stages of completing what’s called an Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate. This means that Wellsprings will retain ownership of the land, but once the County is ready to build, we’ll be contractually obligated to donate the property for that use.

Also visible in the site plan is a Community Resource Site—a space we’re reserving for a potential medical clinic. Between 1–2 acres, right next to the library, it could eventually house urgent care services.

Finally, in this conceptual drawing, you’ll see a 60-unit low-income housing complex. This will be long-term rental housing, not speculative. No one is going to profit from this. It’s safe, quality housing for seniors, and potentially for other groups as well.

That’s where we are at this time.

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High Resolution Map

This project is a major milestone for Borrego Springs. It not only addresses the real needs of local seniors but also strengthens community infrastructure for the future. As more updates are made public, we’ll continue to share them here.

Learn more by visiting: wellspringscommunityfoundation.org or contact (206) 948-8268.

Here are key facts about the Borrego Revitalization Meeting:

Date: June 5, 2025 at Borrego Springs Library
Library attendance showed strong community engagement
Led by San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond's office (5th District)

Senior Services Expansion:

500 free meals per month delivered through Meals on Wheels partnership
Free medical equipment loans (wheelchairs, walkers) at Seniors Community Center
All senior center programs are completely free
Funded by County Neighborhood Reinvestment Grant (2024) and Community Enhancement Grant (2025)

Village Campus Project Progress:

New Wellsprings Community Foundation established as 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Developer Robert Eco hired for low-income housing expertise
Pre-development funding approved from Civic Community Partners
Researching grants and tax credit financing

Planned Development Features:

60-unit low-income senior housing complex (long-term rental, non-profit)
4-acre fire station site with Irrevocable Offer to Dedicate in final stages
1-2 acre Community Resource Site reserved for potential medical clinic
Strategic location next to library, post office, sheriff's department, county park

Environmental & Infrastructure Updates:

Only 3 abandoned wells remain in cleanup process
Air quality monitoring expansion with local professors
Traffic circles planned for Palm Canyon/Country Club intersections
Roundabouts being explored as traffic-calming solution

Key Contact: Lily Cooper, Supervisor Desmond's office - LilyM.Cooper@sdcounty.ca.gov, 858.402.2442

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Upcoming Events at Yellow Woman Ranch

October 24, 2025

Host Your Special Occasion Looking for a unique desert venue? Yellow Woman Ranch offers stunning sunsets, open desert views, and versatile spaces — perfect for weddings, quinceañeras, and special celebrations. Call 760-399-7159 or visit Yellow Woman Ranch to learn more.

Toast to Borrego | Wine Tasting Fundraiser

October 20, 2025

Support Women and Girls in Borrego Springs Raise your glass for a good cause at the 4th Annual Toast to Borrego , happening Saturday, December 13, 2025 , from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at the UCI Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center in Borrego Springs. Get Tickets! Enjoy an afternoon of fine wines, food, and music—all while supporting programs that empower women and girls in Borrego Springs. Event Highlights Six wines selected and introduced by Kimberly Jones Selections Catering by Carlee’s – delicious food and appetizers Live piano music by Steve Hunter Mocktails for non-drinkers One gift basket drawing ticket included Free parking Experiences and Auctions Shop creative themed gift baskets and bid on one-of-a-kind local experiences, including: Coffee Lovers New Grandparents Gourmet Foods Wine Lovers Tea Party And more to come Silent Auction Experiences: Pizza party for six with Wade of the Borrego Art Institute Olive oil tasting for five with Ingrid Tuxhorn of Borrego Olive Oil Co. Bike ride with Sylvia Maas, Kristi Sisson, and Peanut Paint Party for six with Cody from the Borrego Art Institute Tickets $75 Pre-sale until December 5 $100 General Admission Get your tickets early—attendance is limited. Cancellation Policy: All ticket sales are final. Rain or shine event. Details Location: UCI Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center 401 Tilting T Dr, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Time: 1:00–5:00 PM (Pouring 1:00–3:30 PM) Note: Guests must be 21 or older. Children and pets cannot be accommodated (service animals welcome). Learn More About Borrego Springs