Urban Partnerships Community Development Corporation

TO CATALYZE COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO BENEFIT LOW AND MODERATE INCOME RESIDENTS OF HOUSTON'S CULTURALLY UNIQUE AND HISTORICAL CENTRAL NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGH JOB GROWTH INITIATIVES, CULTURAL AND ARTS PROMOTION, AND REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT.

UP CDC WILL DEVELOP REAL ESTATE PROJECT TO BENEFIT LOW AND MODERATE INCOME INDIVIDUALS BY CREATING A STABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO RENT SPACE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE RISING REAL ESTATE PRICES ARE FORCING EMPLOYERS OUT OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. THESE SPACES WILL BE OFFERED BELOW MARKET TO COMPANIES THAT HAVE COMMITTED TO HIRE FROM THE COMMUNITY. THE FIRST SUCH PROJECT IS THE EAST END INNOVATION MAKER HUB. UP CDC IS PARTNERING WITH TXRX LABS, A 501(C)(3), AND THE GREATER EAST END MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, A MUNICIPAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. IN 2020 CONSTRUCTION COMMENCED ON THE EAST END MAKER HUB AND REACHED 90% BY YEAR END.CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE OITS CAPSTONE PROJECT, AND NEW HEADQUARTERS, IS THE EAST END MAKER HUB, LOCATED IN AN ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED, LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY IN HOUSTON. EAST END MAKER HUB IS REDEFINING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN HOUSTON, BY PROVIDING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE WORKSPACE FOR LOCAL MANUFACTURERS, FABRICATORS, CRAFTERS, INNOVATORS, ARTISANS AND ARTISTS. AFTER OPENING IN FEBRUARY OF 2021, AS OF SEPTEMBER 2021, THE PROJECT IS 80% LEASED 18 MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, HAVING ADDED 40 COMPANIES PROJECTING TO HIRE OVER 500 INDIVIDUALS. UP CDC'S PARTNER AND THE HUB'S ANCHOR TENANT, TXRX LABS INCUBATOR., PROVIDES SKILLS TRAINING TO HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY RESIDENTS ANNUALLY TO PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. IN JUNE OF 2021, THE MAKER HUB ADDED A SECOND INCUBATOR, THE PRISON ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM, PEP, WHICH WORKS WITH PREVIOUSLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS THAT WILL BE WORKING WITH TXRX LABS TO PLACE THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN GOOD PAYING JOBS AND HELPING THE LAUNCH NEW BUSINESSES.UP CDC ALSO HAS SEVERAL AFFILIATED ENTITIES INCLUDING UP COMMUNITY IMPACT FUND, AN EMERGING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (CDFI) THAT LENDS CAPITAL TO UNDERSERVED STARTUPS AND NON-PROFITS. UP CDC LAUNCHED UP COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE IN 2020 TO SERVE ITS REAL ESTATE NEEDS AND TO AID IN CATALYTIC REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. UP CDC ALSO SEEKS TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IS PARTICIPATING CURRENTLY IN THREE TAX CREDIT, MULTI-FAMILY PROJECTS.