Original Casa de la Raza organization’s legal and financial challenges near final resolution
Mina Wahab
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — Casa de la Raza translates to “Home of the People,” and it has been a refuge for community members for more than 50 years.
“In the past, there have been legal help, mental health services, mental wellness programs, exercise classes, Zumba. You know, there are so many things that happen here,” said Lisa Valencia Sherratt, Casa de la Raza Inc. Board President.
The original La Casa de la Raza nonprofit organization has been unable to operate for the past four years due to an involuntary bankruptcy case dating back to the summer of 2021. During that time, the courts appointed a trustee over the property and operations were temporarily halted, cutting off services at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when La Casa was providing hundreds of meals a week, financial support, eviction protection, and mental health services to low-income Eastside residents.
In its absence, a legally unaffiliated group known as La Casa Founders Holding Company or the Restorative Justice Education Center took over the space at at 601 East Montecito Street in an effort to provide similar services. That second group, led by Jacqueline Inda, has operated out of the historical building since, running a food pantry and offering support to families affected by the recent surge in immigration enforcement.
“The building, when we received it about five years ago, was about 45 percent condemned. We went in and rehabbed it room by room as a promise to the people who needed it and to the community, to keep the doors open,” said Inda.
In May 2025, city inspectors red-tagged the property for multiple code violations, declaring it unsafe to occupy. Following repairs, a second inspection in July allowed limited use, but certain areas remain closed until additional work is completed.
In July, a court settlement cleared the property for sale at an asking price of $4.35 million.
With the original La Casa group planning a return, it remains to be seen what happens to Inda’s role.
“There are a lot of different legal things going on and have been for at least five years, and at least 15 years before that, between different parties. Where I stand, and where I have stood for the last five years, is holding the space open. And we are the third link here,” said Inda.
Inda says her biggest fear is that a developer will buy the property and change its original mission.
“It makes my stomach turn because my kids grew up here, because this is home to so many people,” she said.
According to the Santa Barbara Independent, the advisory board for the original La Casa de la Raza, which includes Valencia Sherratt, Ana Rosa Rizo-Centino, Pete Leyva, and Ismael Huerta, is now working to purchase and preserve the building. The plan is to restart operations with a reimagined Family Resource Center under Director Marisol Ortiz, using sustainable business plans developed with guidance from professionals in health, mental health, finance, higher education, and organizational development.
Valencia Sherratt says her organization is exploring partnerships with the hope of reviving the community hub.
“When the building is sold, so many issues and challenges from the past will have been resolved. We are looking forward to that and a clear path forward with the community, as part of the community, serving the community. So yeah, it just brings hope,” she said.
In the meantime, the Restorative Justice Education Center plans to continue offering services.