UACD works with its non-profit partner, American Communities Trust (ACT), to build long-term relationships with the communities in which UACD invests. ACT employs a range of strategies, including grants, program-related investment, micro-loans, technical assistance, project partnerships, and relationship building.
To encourage community-engagement and responsiveness, UACD incorporates Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) into its lending agreements with project developers. As part of the CBA, ACT may work with the project developers to create programming focused on educational and workforce training, permanent and construction employment, and tenancy and procurement objectives, all targeted to the community residents most in need of assistance. ACT advances community benefits in and around UACD investments and leverages additional resources to sustain and strengthen community outcomes.