10/4/2018
Jubilee Housing is expanding the availability of justice housingTM in D.C. with a new property the organization has acquired in the heart of Adams Morgan. The currently vacant commercial building, located at 1724 Kalorama Road NW, will be renovated into 25 deeply affordable homes and space for vital community services.
With larger apartments increasingly scarce in the District, two-thirds of the units will be two- and three-bedroom apartments designed for families. Likewise, two-thirds of the units will be available to families experiencing the greatest burden paying their rent—those who earn 30 percent or less of area median income or about $35,150 for a family of four.
Approximately 5,200 of the renovated building’s 35,000 square feet will be dedicated to Sitar Arts Center, a nationally recognized, multi-disciplinary arts education organization that measurably demonstrates that equitable access to arts education and arts experiences for the whole family are essential to creating strong community. Sitar Arts Center will be able to offer more arts education by expanding into the renovated lobby level at 1724 Kalorama.
Another feature of the new Jubilee property is its location adjacent to a full-service grocery store, parks, the 10 other Jubilee communities, and several Jubilee Housing partner organizations. The combination of deeply affordable units, with onsite and nearby supportive programming, in a thriving neighborhood constitutes the justice housing that Jubilee has committed to increase, as part of its five-year strategic plan initiated this year.
“Creating more justice housing is critical, if we are to build strong, equitable communities in our city,” said Jim Knight, Jubilee Housing’s executive director. “Jubilee Housing is investing now in to ensure D.C. doesn’t lose the last properties that can remain affordable to families with the fewest financial resources and those facing other barriers to successful lives.”
Jubilee’s Kalorama Road property is financed by the Justice Housing Partners, LP (the Fund), United Bank, and LISC DC. This is the first acquisition for the Fund, which Jubilee Housing established only three months ago.
Jubilee Housing expects construction on its new property will start in late 2019 and be completed in early 2020.
Justice housing is a trademark of Jubilee Housing.