1. **State the problem:** We need to find the value of $y$ when $$-5 = \frac{y - 7}{9}.$$\n\n2. **Use the formula and rules:** To solve for $y$, multiply both sides of the equation by 9 to eliminate the denominator. This uses the rule that multiplying both sides of an equation by the same nonzero number keeps the equation balanced.\n\n3. **Multiply both sides by 9:**\n$$-5 \times 9 = \cancel{9} \times \frac{y - 7}{\cancel{9}}$$\nThis simplifies to\n$$-45 = y - 7.$$\n\n4. **Isolate $y$ by adding 7 to both sides:**\n$$-45 + 7 = y - 7 + 7$$\n$$-38 = y.$$\n\n5. **Final answer:**\n$$y = -38.$$