MBCA was formed to preserve the environmental and economic welfare of the Morongo Basin. Our mission to achieve and maintain a healthy desert environment relates not only to preservation of dark skies, native plants and animals, and safe and adequate water sources, but also to stable and available housing. As a growing center of desert tourism related to Joshua Tree National Park and other desert attractions, affordable rental housing for the many residents who earn a living serving that industry has declined. A significant factor was a huge surge in short term rentals (STRs) across the Basin. The news stories below record MBCA’s ongoing work on this issue.