Commitment to Opportunity for Residents NYCHA, through its Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability’s (REES), measurably supports residents to increase their income and assets through programs, policies and collaborations in four key areas: Employment and Advancement Adult Education and Training Financial Literacy and Asset Building Resident Business Development

Resident Business Development (RBD) Mission To measurably support residents’ increased income and assets through Entrepreneurship NYCHA

In Resident’s Own Words… During focus groups, NYCHApreneurs* expressed common challenges to achieving their entrepreneurial dreams. These needs were verified with a survey of known NYCHApreneurs. DREAMS We care for children We do hair We sell food We fix computers We buy & sell We translate We do makeup We design clothes We build We serve the community WE DO BUSINESS! NEEDS Business Training & Certifications Access to capital Space *NYCHA entrepreneurs

NYCHApreneur Needs Are Verified Echoing the focus group results, NYCHApreneur needs can be summed up as a need for Education, Space, and Capital. *When presented with the choices, NYCHApreneurs were able to select all that apply.

www.OpportunityNYCHA.org/Food

NYCHA Food Business Pathways (FBP) Program Overview FREE comprehensive and competitive program that works directly with NYCHA entrepreneurs in launching their food business FBP is designed and operated by a partnership with NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA), NYC Small Business Services (SBS), NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC),Hot Bread Kitchen, Start Small Think Big, and Citi Community Development 10-week program and topics include: Exploring Entrepreneurship – discovering your vision and developing a business concept Operations – How owning a food business is different than being a cook Capacity – Starting small and building up Licensing – What you need to know to own a food business in New York City Participants receive (1) free business incorporation, (2) food handler’s license, (3) access to commerical kitchen incubator space, and (4) business coaching

Food Business Pathways (FBP) Program Year 1 (2015) and Year 2 (2016) 139 Total Food Business Program Graduates (79.4% graduation rate) Cohorts 1 to 5 568 490 388 263 175 Attended Info Session Submitted Application Selected for Interview Interviewed Enrolled 88 New Official Businesses Registered 100% African-American and/or Latino Female – 90% Male - 10%

Food Business Pathways is Built on 3 Key Innovations 1 A focus on “incubator-readiness,” by providing a qualified pipeline of NYCHA businesses for service providers 2 Strengthening the connection between NYCHA businesses and NYC’s economy through streamlined links to industry-specific resources and customized curriculum 3 Bringing key stakeholders together to “evaluate what works” and systematize assistance to NYCHApreneurs

Success Story Joann Poe – Food Business Graduate & Owner of NYC’s Best Dressed Cupcakes “Working with my business coach, it really sunk in that I can go out and get clients. I came to the realization that this is really happening. I never tried to get sales, and waited for people to come to me. Now in order for my food business to thrive, I have to go out there and sell. Once I started cooking in a commercial kitchen, I kept getting more orders.”