As we get close to concluding our celebration of 50 years of impact, or our Jubilee Year, we continue to reflect on our founding principles to guide us in the future: Filling gaps through access to deeply affordable housing, onsite and nearby services, and the essential resources of high-opportunity neighborhoods — Justice Housing®, breaking down boundaries by bringing those cut off from opportunity back into the circle of belonging, and resetting the system by interrupting unfair practices at the systemic level and replacing them with just pathways forward that have impact far beyond our neighborhood.
This month, we reflect on Jubilee’s history of advocacy for our residents and neighborhoods and for city-wide policies that provide housing access and supportive programs for that ensure that residents and families have the security and stability they need to thrive, helping them break the cycle of poverty and achieve their dreams.
We reflect on this crucial and expanding component of Jubilee’s work with a special interview and spotlight with long-time Jubilee Vice President of Strategic Initiatives Marty Mellet and new Vice President of External Affairs Tyrell Holcomb.
50th Anniversary Stories
How Jubilee is Transforming Housing Advocacy
Tyrell Holcomb, who became Jubilee Housing’s Vice President of External Affairs on July 15, 2024, brings over 15 years of experience in nonprofit and government sectors, advocating for the well-being of District of Columbia residents. A proud fourth-generation Washingtonian and former DC Youth Mayor, Tyrell has led initiatives that secured over $80 million for community health access and mobilized thousands of residents to engage in policy advocacy. Since joining Jubilee, he has been instrumental in leading advocacy efforts that reflect his commitment to enhancing community outcomes. Following in the footsteps of Marty Mellet, Jubilee’s former VP of Strategic Initiatives, Tyrell carries the torch forward, building on Marty’s legacy in advocacy with a steadfast dedication to Jubilee’s mission. He shares personal insights into Jubilee’s current initiatives and his vision for the future of Jubilee’s advocacy:
“As VP of External Affairs, my role is to be our chief champion in advocating for the issues that matter most to Jubilee Housing. Our current policy priorities focus on stabilizing the housing ecosystem, a critical issue that involves ensuring that affordable housing remains accessible and sustainable. We are actively thinking about our positioning and advocating for the DC Council to take necessary actions to support this stabilization.
One key policy area is the Housing Production Trust Fund, which plays an essential role in housing stability. As we enter the upcoming budget cycle, Jubilee will be advocating for the expansion and preservation of this fund to support more affordable housing development. Additionally, we are pushing for the expansion of rapid rehousing vouchers, which help stabilize families by providing temporary housing assistance. Another critical policy focus is the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). Jubilee is advocating for a full revamp of ERAP, transitioning it into permanent legislation to ensure long-term support for residents facing housing insecurity.
Beyond housing, Out-of-School Time (OST) programming is a priority, with an emphasis on maintaining and expanding funding. Jubilee aims to ensure that we have the capacity to meet the needs of all students in our community, particularly Jubilee Housing residents. Lastly, our advocacy focuses on returning citizens, ensuring they have the resources and housing necessary to reintegrate into society successfully. Jubilee is committed to preventing recidivism by supporting returning citizens and using their experiences as a model to address the root causes of incarceration.
These policy priorities reflect Jubilee’s commitment to addressing both housing and broader community needs, working with partners to build a more resilient and equitable housing ecosystem.
While significant work has been done, we are not without challenges. Some of the biggest barriers to advancing affordable housing policy in DC remain deeply rooted in how we think about housing and the broader economic landscape. The issue goes beyond simply providing shelter. It’s about creating economic stability, mobility, and self-sufficiency opportunities for individuals and families.”
The current state of affairs is difficult for many. Overall “It feels like we are almost where we started in the sense of what the external economy looks like, with what the city’s needs look like, and the way that gentrification continues to displace residents” according to Jim Knight, Jubilee Housing President and CEO.
Tyrell acknowledges, “We are facing other significant challenges including rent arrears that are impacting the ability of building owners and operators to make necessary repairs and maintain their properties. These are challenges that we are facing and working to address in the affordable housing landscape. Through our advocacy efforts, Jubilee works to influence policies that prioritize affordable housing, urging for better financing tools, like amendments to existing housing finance programs, to ensure long-term sustainability.
There’s also a deeper societal challenge in how affordable housing is perceived. Historically, affordable housing has been associated primarily with Black and Brown communities, and this narrow view limits the conversation around creating true economic opportunities for all individuals in need of affordable housing. We need to shift this perspective and think about what it means to place individuals in communities that are resource-rich, with access to the tools they need for long-term economic success. We are addressing this barrier through a focus on creating environments where residents can thrive economically, connecting them to opportunities that promote self-sufficiency for themselves and future generations. This holistic approach is critical, as the next phase of affordable housing must center on the entire person, ensuring not only a roof over their head but also pathways to economic empowerment.
Jubilee Housing engages in various collaborations with organizations and coalitions to strengthen our advocacy efforts. Notable partners include CNHED, Hand, DC Action, and the Reentry Action Network. With CNHED (Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development), we can shape critical budget and legislative policies. Through our collaboration with HAND (Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers), we enhance Jubilee’s capacity to influence housing development practices and policies that prioritize community needs, ensuring that developments are not only economically viable but also socially responsible. Partnering with DC Action allows Jubilee to address systemic issues affecting residents, particularly in areas like education and public health. This collaboration helps mobilize resources and advocate for policies that benefit the community, leveraging data and research to inform decision-making and drive impactful change. The Reentry Action Network coalition focuses on supporting individuals transitioning from incarceration back into the community. Jubilee’s involvement helps amplify the voices of residents who have experienced reentry, fostering advocacy for policy reforms and support services that facilitate successful reintegration.
In addition to these partnerships, Jubilee emphasizes the importance of cultivating leadership among its residents. We are actively ramping up our mobilization efforts to ensure that residents play a key role in advancing advocacy and influencing policy changes. In the past, residents have testified before the DC Council during the budget and agency oversight processes, but Jubilee is now focused on making this a more structured, impactful, and ongoing effort. Strategies to engage residents include grassroots organizing, such as preparing flyers, knocking on doors, and making phone calls. The goal is to help residents see the value in advocating for issues that affect them directly, like housing stability and reentry services. This involves annual advocacy days, where residents meet with council members and lobby for legislative changes, providing testimony on critical legislation that impacts their lives.
Central to this effort is the Jubilee Residents Advocacy Committee, which is recruiting residents to take an active role in shaping public policies. The committee offers residents the opportunity to provide feedback on public policy reforms, advocate for Justice Housing®, and collaborate with Jubilee’s leadership and external partners to drive meaningful legislative change. By joining the committee, residents not only contribute to long-term policy advancements but also gain valuable leadership and advocacy experience. They become key voices in their community, building relationships with city officials and advocacy groups.
This approach carries the torch from past efforts, emphasizing the importance of preparing residents well before advocacy opportunities arise. Through ongoing collaboration and consistent mobilization, residents can build the relationships and confidence needed to influence policy discussions that shape their future.
One example of a successful policy change I’ve been involved with is related to the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). What made this experience unique is that Jubilee isn’t just a developer or property manager; we also provide wraparound services to our residents, which gives us a unique vantage point at the decision-making table.
As we pushed for policy changes within ERAP, one of the exhilarating aspects was making sure the residents we serve were at the forefront of these discussions. We recognized that while there was a push for legislative amendments, it was vital to ensure that the real-world impact on tenants, landlords, housing counselors, and agencies was fully understood. It wasn’t just about legislative change for its own sake, but about ensuring that those changes benefitted all the stakeholders involved in the housing process.
Through persistent advocacy, we helped turn a flat-out “no” on policy amendments into a thoughtful consideration of what changes needed to be made. We were able to get policymakers to pause and think about the broader implications, ultimately bringing about important shifts that made the program more effective. It’s something I’m particularly proud of, knowing I played a role in influencing these outcomes. I think the most rewarding part of my advocacy work with Jubilee Housing has been the opportunity to shape future possibilities for individuals from similar backgrounds as mine. Growing up in a low-income community, I faced many challenges, including a time when my family’s heat was off in the middle of winter due to unpaid bills. Reflecting on my journey, I recognize the privilege I have now to help others navigate similar challenges and to work towards ensuring they don’t have to endure the same tribulations.
As we look to the future, we see significant opportunities to expand our focus beyond merely providing affordable housing. We aim to explore what it means to create pathways for workforce opportunities, especially for essential community members such as teachers, nurses, firefighters, and police officers. Many individuals in these professions, who are vital to the fabric of our city, often find themselves unable to afford market-rate rents. For instance, while some may pay exorbitant luxury rents, most residents struggle to make ends meet with traditional market prices.
To address these issues, Jubilee will continue to actively partner with community members, policymakers, and peers to shape initiatives that prioritize the needs of the working class. We will continue to elevate resident voices in these discussions, ensuring that the perspectives of those most affected by housing policies are heard and considered. Jubilee will do this while balancing immediate policy needs with long-term goals in its advocacy work by establishing annual plans that align with our broader vision. This approach will allow us to continue to address pressing policy issues while also considering the impact of its work in the next few years. In summary, our future initiatives and policy goals revolve around being a strong advocate at the policy table, improving existing programs, and innovating new strategies for affordable housing. By engaging with local council members and other stakeholders, we can influence housing policies that reflect the needs of our community, ensuring that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.”