PHOENIX (STN) – UMOM’s latest affordable housing community, La Esperanza, stands as a powerful symbol of hope and dignity for families across Maricopa County.
In May, CEO Jackson Fonder took the STN team on a behind-the-scenes tour, offering a deeper look at the impact of these thoughtfully designed spaces.
La Esperanza, which means “hope,” features 96 high-quality apartment units created for families working hard to make ends meet. Some residents have transitioned from shelters, while others have been waiting years for an affordable home.
Fonder emphasized that affordable housing too often carries a negative stigma. At La Esperanza, UMOM is breaking that perception by prioritizing quality and dignity.
“Why shouldn’t our families deserve this level of dignity and this level of quality?” Fonder said. “Any one of us would be proud to live in a community like this.”
La Esperanza — A beacon of hope for Arizona families:
Complete with a playground, community center, and arts and crafts space, the development truly feels like a vibrant neighborhood.
UMOM’s commitment to affordable housing is longstanding, with nine similar projects already completed. Yet the need remains urgent, as the region faces an influx of new residents and a critical housing shortage.
“We’ve done about nine of these projects now. We know what we’re doing,” Fonder said. “We also know it’s just not enough. There are still too many families without a place to live. So we’re not slowing down.”
The La Esperanza project was funded through a mix of public and private resources, including low-income housing tax credits. Despite skepticism and repeated warnings that the project couldn’t be done, UMOM pushed forward.
Their success underscores the power of collaboration and determination.
Fonder expressed joy over children being able to safely walk to a nearby school, creating a sense of stability and belonging that strengthens families and the broader community.
