1. 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

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

3. 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

4. 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.

6. 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

7. 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%

8. Food Business Pathways is Built on 3 Key Innovations1
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

9. 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.”