UMOM to Break Ground on Salamanca Square, Bringing Nearly 200 Affordable Homes to Phoenix Families
For many families in Phoenix, finding an affordable place to live has become increasingly difficult. As housing costs continue to rise, more working families are being priced out of the communities where they work, go to school, and build their lives.
At UMOM New Day Centers, we believe affordable housing is one of the most important tools for preventing and ending homelessness. When families have access to stable, affordable housing, they are better positioned to maintain employment, improve their health, and build long-term financial stability, and for their children to succeed in school.
That's why we're proud to announce the next chapter in our affordable housing work: Salamanca Square, a new 192-unit affordable housing community being developed in partnership with the Alhambra School District.
Located at 4439 N. 39th Ave. in Phoenix, Salamanca Square will provide high-quality affordable housing for families earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The project recently received final approval, with construction expected to begin this fall.
This development represents an innovative approach to addressing Arizona's housing challenges. By partnering with local school districts, UMOM can transform underutilized land into affordable housing communities that benefit families while creating new opportunities for schools and neighborhoods.
"At a time when families are struggling to find affordable housing, we have a responsibility to use every available resource," said Monique Lopez, CEO of UMOM New Day Centers. "Salamanca Square turns underutilized school district land into a pathway to stability: creating homes, strengthening neighborhoods, and delivering real solutions where they're needed most."
Salamanca Square builds on a model that has already proven successful. Similar to La Esperanza Terrace, UMOM's 96-unit affordable housing community developed in partnership with the Isaac School District, Salamanca Square reflects a scalable approach to creating affordable housing while strengthening the communities it serves.
The development will offer thoughtfully designed apartment homes ranging from one-bedroom, one-bathroom units to four-bedroom, two-bathroom units, ensuring families of different sizes have access to housing that meets their needs. Residents will also benefit from connections to community resources and supportive services that help families thrive.
For the Alhambra School District, the partnership represents a shared investment in student success and family stability.
"Access to stable housing is foundational to a child's success in school and a family's ability to thrive," said a representative from the Alhambra School District. "This partnership reflects our shared commitment to supporting families beyond the classroom and strengthening the entire community."
Today, UMOM operates more than 900 affordable housing units across Maricopa County, with additional developments underway. Salamanca Square is another important step in our ongoing commitment to creating housing solutions that help families build brighter futures.
Construction is anticipated to begin before the end of 2026, with completion expected in 2027. Once complete, Salamanca Square will provide nearly 200 families with a place to call home and bring us one step closer to a future where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring.
Project Partners
Salamanca Square has been made possible through the collaboration of many dedicated partners, including Phoenix IDA, Alhambra School District, the City of Phoenix, Arizona Department of Housing, Arizona Finance Authority, Raymond James, BOK Financial, Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, Helping Hands Housing Services, H&B Builders, Perlman Architects of Arizona, and Lotzar Law Firm.