WHO WE ARE
At UPholdings, we create, operate, and sustain the highest quality of affordable housing, and we do this throughout the country. We are committed to being community partners who are in it for the long run.
UPholdings is the umbrella company that represents the continuum of the professional services we offer and provide through our legacy organizations:
UP Development LLC (UPD)
UPA LLC (UPA)
UPholdings, LLC
UPholdings is backed by the same longevity and capacity means that our founders built up through their original property management company.
UPholdings represents our company’s unified strategic vision for our affordable housing developments; through the creation of UPholdings, we have clarified our mission of providing housing for the most vulnerable residents in the community—a vision that spans from inception through the life of each projects, which is often, as intended, at least 30 years and beyond.
OUR MISSION
UPholdings is a partner for communities, through our nonprofit and social service collaborations, our tenant engagement services, and our long-term asset management services.
Since our founding as an affordable housing development and management company, we have grown and expanded. UPA, a property management company, and UP Development, a real estate development company, merged in 2010 to transform into the unified company that we are today. Our founders, co-owners Cullen J. Davis and Jessica Hoff Berzac, created this comprehensive real estate firm that is dedicated to creating, operating, and sustaining quality affordable housing in communities throughout the United States.
Our team is deeply committed to working with the most vulnerable community members on a continuous and long-term basis while we continue to design, build, and own housing that exceeds the industry’s standards for both quality and efficiency. At UPholdings, we believe that everyone has a right to high quality and accessible housing, and that housing is the foundation to wellness and opportunity for both individuals and families.
CORPORATE PROFILE
Download our current (2025) Company Profile, including a summary of our impact, our Create, Operate, and Sustain departments, profiles on our co-owners and directors, and housing highlights on Project Homekey, our political persistence, and our funding strategies.
ANNUAL REPORTS
Below you can download our most recent 2023 Annual Report, reflecting on a year of growth and stability fueled by the dedication of our exceptional staff and partners. Despite challenges, we've navigated funding dynamics and tightened budgets with a focus on stewardship, allowing us to thrive and expand our impact and partnerships. Take a look at what we've accomplished together!
Feel free to share this report with your networks, and thank you for the ways you support UPholdings and our work to create, operate, and sustain the highest quality of affordable housing!
ALL ANNUAL REPORTS (click covers to download):
AWARDS
IMAGE AWARD FOR BLENDED HOUSING PROGRAM
COMMUNITY BUILDERS AWARD
ILLINOIS HEROES AWARD
INDIANA LT. GOVERNOR'S EXCELLENCE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AWARD FOR WALNUT COMMONS
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Cullen J. Davis
CO-OWNER & PRINCIPAL
Cullen is a graduate of Northwestern Law who leveraged his legal education to create a diversified and integrated real estate company. With more than 9,000 units under management and 1,300 units in his personal portfolio, Mr. Davis uses this platform to effect social change across the country in the development of affordable housing for those who are most in need. In the past 20 years, Mr. Davis has pioneered economic housing models that are the basis for Supportive Housing as we currently know it, created housing in areas of great need, and altered the arc of tens of thousands of people by providing safe housing and meaningful services to create positive outcomes. He currently operates four companies and lives in Chicago with his two children. He is an avid boxer, Peloton biker, and art collector. His philanthropic commitment to his community remains strong and he continues to fund a variety of programs for at-risk youth.
Jessica Hoff Berzac
CO-OWNER & PRINCIPAL
Jessica, co-owner and principal of UPholdings has over 20 years of affordable development experience and has created hundreds of affordable housing units and developed a pipeline of thousands more. Jessica specializes in creating community partnerships with service providers and non-profit organizations and is dedicated to creating opportunities for special needs individuals to live in affordable and supportive housing. She facilitates the UPholdings development process including site acquisitions, local entitlements, financing strategy and project design, closings and program compliance. Ms. Hoff Berzac is well-versed in the process of community engagement and knows the importance of building a project and team with a broad network of support. After receiving a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Kalamazoo College, Jessica lived in Chicago for 15 years and dabbled in the arts before finding her own professional home in affordable housing development. She now lives in her hometown of Fresno, CA with her husband, a high school theatre and film teacher, their three sons, and their dog Sammy.
MEET OUR DIRECTORS
Kelly Brown
DIRECTOR OF REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Kelly brings decades of experience in managing complex affordable housing portfolios and ensuring regulatory compliance. She oversees compliance for UPholdings’ properties in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, managing a growing portfolio that includes dozens of state and federal programs such as LIHTC, HUD HOME, PBV, and other state-specific initiatives. Kelly handles compliance reporting to tax credit investors, coordinates annual owner certifications for state and federal agencies, and collaborates with syndicators on new construction projects. She also supervises staff to ensure tenant file compliance and ensures that the team stays current with evolving regulations and new programs. Kelly is committed to maintaining high performance and compliance standards while navigating increasingly complex capital stacks and regulatory landscapes.
Tim Martinez
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Tim brings over six years of experience in affordable housing development and finance. He oversees the development team, manages the pipeline from concept through operations, secures funding and partnerships, and collaborates with leadership to advance the company’s affordable housing initiatives. Prior to his role at UPholdings, he served as Assistant Director of Housing Development at New Mexico’s State Housing Finance Agency, where he oversaw multifamily and single-family lending activities, managed staff, and implemented state and federal housing initiatives. Tim also worked as a Development Associate with the Vancouver (WA) Housing Authority, supporting LIHTC and gap funding applications, conducting site feasibility and due diligence analyses, and managing procurement processes. Tim holds a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning and a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development from Portland State University.
Caity Meader
DIRECTOR OF SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Caity brings extensive experience in social services to her role as Director of Supportive Housing, where maintaining high levels of service is critical for UPholdings’ unique portfolio. She is responsible for identifying and nurturing service-based partnerships, ensuring that partners meet our standards and adhere to industry best practices for PSH and Housing First. With a focus on nuanced crisis response, Caity’s approach to tenant engagement is both thoughtful and balanced, effectively managing tenant and community relationships. She oversees state compliance, HMIS reporting, outcome measurement, and grant management, while also serving as a key liaison between social service providers, property management, ownership, and local municipalities.
Lawanda Moore
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Lawanda brings over 15 years of experience in property management to her Director of Operations role at UPholdings. She directly oversees operations for 23 properties, managing over 1,500 units and leading a team of 30 site-level staff. Lawanda excels at driving profitability, enhancing resident satisfaction, and developing high-performing teams. She is skilled in analyzing tenant and financial reports, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance building codes, building inspections and Fair Housing regulations. Lawanda also plays a crucial role in recruitment, vendor negotiations, and guiding employees for performance improvement. Her leadership has led to revenue growth through improved occupancy, reduced delinquency, and operational efficiency, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in all aspects of property management.
Michael Noeh
DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES
As the Director of Financial Services at UPholdings, Michael oversees all aspects of accounting and financial management for the company. He ensures strict adherence to fiscal quality and compliance, including annual audits, real estate tax management, and appeals, working directly with county assessors. Michael also plays a key role in overseeing UPholdings’ insurance and 401(k) plans, as well as investment strategies. His responsibilities include managing the accounting division and our property management software, engaging with regulatory agencies, and collaborating with vendors. Through his leadership, Michael ensures that the company maintains sound financial practices and continues to meet its strategic goals with precision and integrity.
Caitlin Saraceno
DIRECTOR
Caitlin serves as an operational leader at UPholdings, collaborating closely with the president to ensure the efficient management of the development pipeline and construction projects. She oversees more than $200 million in annual construction draws and closings, playing a key role in implementing the company’s strategic goals. Caitlin leads special projects, oversees the rollout of new policies, procedures, and technology adoption, ensuring a seamless integration with staff. As the primary point of contact for attorneys, title companies, and financial institutions, she ensures smooth coordination among all stakeholders. Caitlin’s ability to balance high-level strategy with day-to-day operations is essential to the success of UPholdings’ development efforts.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
At the Administrative Services Division of UPholdings, we handle all of the “back office” departments and their functions, including Human Resources, Finance, and Accounting. Under the direction of Mike Noeh, our director of finance, we serve not only UPholdings, but our sister companies Urban Property Investors (UPI) and Hallmark and Johnson.
For all inquiries regarding UPholdings Administrative Services, please contact our Administrative team at info@upholdings.net or (773) 736-1244.
IN THE NEWS
The Business Journal
June 1, 2023
Join us in celebrating the momentous occasion as Finca Serena proudly unveiled its grand opening on May 30th! Be a part of this remarkable journey in the fight against homelessness by clicking the link below to discover the inspiring story behind this incredible milestone.
RECORDERONLINE
June 17, 2021
PORTERVILLE – The Porterville City Council took swift action during its meeting on Tuesday on two matters that should substantially help deal with the issues of homelessness and providing services for the most vulnerable in the community. The council approved $20 million in financing to come through a state agency for an 80-unit affordable housing development to be located at 385 South E. Street.
FRESNOBEE
May 14, 2021
CLOVIS – The city of Clovis saw construction start Friday on its first-ever permanent housing project for some of the area's most vulnerable residents. Dubbed Butterfly Gardens, the $18 million project will be a 75-unit complex in the city's southwest, spearheaded by low-income housing developers UPholdings and Self-Help Enteprises.