A Front Door to Hope: Celebrating the Dedication of Casa de la Mora in Yakima

On August 12, as guests gathered outside 115 N 10th Street in Yakima, a seven-year vision officially became a reality. Catholic Charities Housing Services (CCHS) dedicated Casa de la Mora, a four-story, 71,273-square-foot affordable housing community that brings 73 modern apartments and on-site support services to Central Washington.

The dedication brought together a broad coalition of state, federal, and local leaders, but the heart of the ceremony centered on what these four walls represent for the community. Opening the program, Manuel Villafán, Jr., President & CEO of Catholic Charities Serving Central Washington and CCHS, reminded attendees that the day was about much more than brick and mortar. "Today is more than an opening of a building," Villafán shared, emphasizing that "hope has a front door. Hope has a safe room where children can sleep, a kitchen where a family can gather, a community where neighbors can support one another."

That theme of human dignity carried through as Bishop Joseph Tyson offered a prayer and blessing for the new homes. Drawing inspiration from the building’s namesake, Father Miguel de la Mora, Bishop Tyson affirmed the agency's moral commitment to shelter the vulnerable. "As Bishop of Yakima, I want this Catholic Charities housing, under the patronage of San Miguel de la Mora, to publicly witness to our uncompromising desire to protect and shelter the poorest, the most vulnerable in our midst, regardless of who they are, where they’re from, or what their legal status is," he declared.

The significance of expanding affordable housing supply in Central Washington was echoed by state and federal leaders in attendance. Addressing the crowd, Governor Bob Ferguson reflected on the life-changing stability that secure housing creates for families. "It is more than 70 homes, but it’s more than a number, right?" Governor Ferguson noted. "It is literally transforming lives—that kids will have that sense of security, that families... will have that sense of dignity as they are here, and have that stability as well."

The development features heat recovery systems, EV charging stations, and a 204-panel rooftop solar array designed to offset 70 percent of common area energy costs. Funding relied on a complex multi-tier capital stack, including federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) championed by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, which generated over $15 million in private equity.

Speaking to the broader economic impact, Senator Cantwell highlighted how projects like Casa de la Mora strengthen the whole region. "Housing is the foundation of our communities," Cantwell stated. "Real solutions exist in a community, and those solutions not only help these young people, but they help our economy by creating a workforce and stability for them and their families."

Using HUD Section 811 and project-based Housing Choice Vouchers, Casa de la Mora explicitly reserves units for specific populations facing severe housing barriers: 25 units for young adults (ages 18–24), 17 accessible units for individuals with disabilities, 10 units for youth aging out of foster care, and remaining apartments for low-income families. On-site wraparound supports—including case management, healthcare coordination, and behavioral health resources—will be provided through key partnerships with Catholic Charities' Youth and Young Adult Services, Rod’s House, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services, and Community Health of Central Washington.

For State Senator Curtis King, the designated housing and support for young people exiting care struck a personal chord. Reflecting on recent meetings with local youth in transitional programs, Senator King shared, "Foster youth face many challenges in their life... As you look at what is being offered to the youth today with Casa de la Mora, it tells me that we are truly making a positive impact on the young people and giving them the best chance we can in life to be successful."

Local leaders emphasized how critical city and county collaboration was in navigating regulatory and financial hurdles. Yakima Mayor Matt Brown recalled his early excitement for the proposal, sharing, "When this project came forward, I was like, 'This is going to give a lot of people hope.' Housing gives hope." Yakima County Commissioner LaDon Linde added that pairing shelter with behavioral health support empowers residents for the long haul, noting, "If we can get to the point where people could stand on their own two feet and be self-reliant, contributors to their community, we all win."

As the ceremony drew to a close, CCHS Vice President and Director Bryan Ketcham expressed deep gratitude to the broad network of partners who guided the project through seven years of development—including Beacon Development Group, ZBA Architecture, M.C. Lundgren Construction, state agencies, financial partners, and local artist Kathy Birdwell, whose landscape paintings adorn the building's interior.

Capturing the spirit of the day, Ketcham concluded, "This development here represents what’s possible when vision, partnership, and commitment come together to serve our community. Most importantly, it represents new beginnings for the individuals and families who will call this place home."

Following the program, guests walked through the completed community, touring furnished units prepared to give incoming residents an immediate, welcoming transition. Casa de la Mora is now officially open, ready to serve as a lasting anchor of hope, safety, and stability in Yakima for decades to come.

Leasing & Property Details

• Location: 115 N 10th Street, Yakima, WA 98901
• Leasing Inquiries: Contact Property Management directly at (509) 938-3134 or cdlmora@catholiccharitiescw.org