The Center for Pursuit (CFP) is a Houston-based nonprofit organization that serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With nearly 70 years of experience, it currently supports the well-being of 365 people through day services, assisted living, employment services, and health clinics for medical, dental and behavioral services.

NMSC committed $7 million of LISC’s New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation, with Wells Fargo as the investor, to acquire and construct two buildings for its new campus in Houston’s Second Ward. In addition to its core support for clients, the new campus will also offer retail and other services to the surrounding community, where 40 percent of residents live below the poverty line. Offerings include a new café (that will also provide barista training to CFP clients), a local fitness center and a restaurant.

The NMSC commitment is part of a broader NMTC package that includes allocations from Peoples Fund, Urban Development Fund and the Texas Mezzanine Fund.

The new campus will be steps from the METROrail Green Line stop, will nearly triple its workforce, and allow it to serve five times more people—all while offering additional retail and services that help embed it within the community.

Once complete and fully operational, the new campus will provide programs and services for 1,800 people and create more than 400 new jobs. It will reinvigorate a blighted corner, bring health and retail services to a community where people earn just 39 percent of the area median income, and make it easy for clients and residents to access services via the adjacent light rail line.