Jubilee Housing Breaks Ground on King Emanuel Baptist Church to Expand Reentry Housing Initiative
Historic Church to Provide Supportive Housing for Returning Citizens
Washington, DC — On March 11, Jubilee Housing officially broke ground on the renovation of King Emanuel Baptist Church (KEB), an African American church that has been in Adams Morgan since 1907. KEB’s deep-rooted history in the community and its longstanding connection to Jubilee Housing make this project particularly meaningful. Many Jubilee residents have been members of the church through the years, which has been a hub for neighborhood meetings and community activities for decades. Jubilee Housing is honored to have been entrusted with the redevelopment of this sacred space for expansion of its reentry housing and services programming.
The KEB project aligns with Jubilee Housing’s Justice Housing® model, which combines deeply affordable housing with comprehensive wraparound services in high-opportunity neighborhoods. Access to affordable housing stands as the number one obstacle for successful reentry for people exiting jail or prison. KEB fills out a continuum of support for justice involved residents that includes Jubilee’s existing transitional housing and soon to be completed, Ontario Place. This programming has already impacted over 600 men and women over more than a decade of successful operation.
“Our position remains the same as it has always been throughout Mayor Bowser’s tenure – we are a second chance city that firmly believes in justice and equality for all, that positive life change is possible, and we are here to provide support and opportunity to those who wish to take a different path, said Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Justice, Lindsey Appiah said. “We know how important housing and the programs Jubilee is offering are to the wellbeing and safety of citizens in the District. KEB represents hope and we are energized by this focus on citizens returning to our community.”
The new property will feature 18 units of housing dedicated to returning citizens. It will be located next to Ontario Place, the site of Jubilee’s forthcoming urban aquaponics farm, where the groundbreaking ceremony took place. Ontario Place will be the first affordable-housing-based aquaponics farm in DC, offering returning citizens long-term housing and an opportunity to gain valuable skills in farming, marketing, sales, and more. The farm is expected to produce approximately 13,000 crops per month, with a portion of the fresh produce used in the KEB community kitchen, which will serve Jubilee residents.
Jubilee Housing plans to preserve the original section of the building and key design elements of King Emanuel Baptist Church, honoring its legacy in the neighborhood while adapting the space to meet the needs of its new residents.
Gina Daye Williams, the Director of Reentry Housing and Services, expressed her enthusiasm by stating, “This is an incredibly exciting time as we make a significant advancement in aiding numerous men and women in reconstructing their lives. The expansion of supportive housing within a community environment, coupled with the availability of workforce development programs, will revolutionize the future for countless individuals!”
The project is financed through a combination of sources, including a 9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), DC LIHTC from the District’s Department of Housing and Community Development, first mortgage financing from the Cornerstone Fund, LIHTC equity from Red Stone, a long-term subsidy contract from DC, subordinate financing from DC Green Bank, and Jubilee Housing’s own equity.
Jubilee Housing is especially appreciative to its partners in DC Government, as DC Council, the Mayor’s Office and the DC Department of Housing and Community Development each contributed in unique ways to the success of the project.
About Jubilee Housing
Jubilee Housing builds diverse, compassionate communities that create opportunities for everyone to thrive. We do this by building justice through housing — Justice Housing®. Justice Housing® is deeply affordable housing, with onsite and nearby services in resource-rich neighborhoods with access to good schools, transit, grocery stores, financial services, and employment. For more information, visit jubileehousing.org.
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