The Housing Works CAURD Community Initiative
We’ve been doing social enterprise retail for 30 years, through thrift shops, a bookstore café, online retail, and now, New York’s first legal cannabis dispensary. We learned how hard it is to open a dispensary in this market. So we’re sharing what we know.
CAURD license holders shouldn’t have to figure this out on their own.
Why We Do This
Opening a dispensary in New York is tough. Really tough. The regulations, real estate, startup capital, and compliance; it’s a lot, even for a nonprofit with 30 years of experience.
CAURD holders are supposed to be the people leading this industry. But without the right resources, good intentions don’t pay rent or navigate regulations.
Housing Works figured it out. Now we help others do the same.
What We Offer
Business Infrastructure
- Human resources, recruitment, and payroll
- Accounts payable and bookkeeping
- Back-office systems that work
Dispensary Operations
- Compliance guidance (because nobody wants a surprise visit)
- Retail best practices and customer service training
- Real-world advice from people who’ve been there
Getting Open
- Facility design and renovation support
- Real estate assistance
- Connections to startup capital and investors
- In some cases, we’ll guarantee your lease
Our Partners
Five inaugural members of the HWCC CAURD Community Initiative opened their doors in 2024. More are coming soon.
This isn’t charity. It’s investment in the industry we want to see, one where the people most harmed by prohibition get to lead the legal market.
The Real Goal
A truly equitable cannabis market in New York. One where CAURD holders don’t just get licenses, they get dispensaries that succeed.
We’re not trying to control the market. We’re trying to make sure it’s diverse.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re a CAURD license holder looking for support or an investor interested in social equity, let’s talk.
Stay Connected
Updates on new community members, industry insights, and ways to support equitable cannabis.
