Platform of Hope Preparing to Launch
Board members from Jubilee Housing and five local nonprofits gathered in March to learn about an ambitious, new joint initiative—the Platform of Hope—being designed collectively by staff at their organizations. The meeting marked an auspicious milestone for the program, as plans are now set for its launch.
“I can’t believe we’re almost there,” said Sylvia Stokes, Platform of Hope project lead. “It’s taken more than two years, but we’re finally ready.”
The concept for the Platform of Hope originated when Jubilee won a grant that emphasized collaborative community change and picked up speed with support from an Agnes and Eugene Meyer Foundation planning grant. The initiative advances the partner organizations’ shared missions—to keep diverse families in rapidly gentrifying Ward 1 and ensure that people of all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds can thrive in D.C.
The pilot program is a collaboration among Jubilee Housing, Capital Area Asset Builders, For Love of Children, Jubilee Jumpstart, Mary’s Center, and Sitar Arts Center. The first cohort of 20 families will be selected from clients currently receiving services from one of the partner organizations.
The program’s focus is client-centric. Families will define their own educational, financial, housing, and other life goals. Platform of Hope service providers will help participants create plans to achieve those goals. Families in the cohort also will support one another during their engagement with the program.
Jubilee and its partners expect to have recruited the program’s first cohort by mid-July. Then, program staff will meet one-on-one with each family member to set concrete goals for their participation. Progress toward those goals will be measured over time by capturing empirical data.
Stokes envisions the Platform of Hope transforming the way service providers in D.C. address inequity.
“The data from this program will help us identify exactly where structural barriers exist in the city, so we can create specific solutions for families’ needs,” she said. “I want families to know that, whatever their dreams are, they can achieve them.”
100 Jubilee Households to Benefit from Community Solar
Under a new Jubilee program set to launch this fall, 100 Jubilee households facing severe challenges paying their rent will receive a $500 reduction in their annual electricity bill. The program will run for at least 15 years, and each year Jubilee will determine eligible households by considering which families have the least disposal income after paying their rent.
Jubilee will offer these savings through a collaboration with New Partners Community Solar Corp., an independent nonprofit founded by two partners at the law firm of Nixon Peabody. Under D.C.’s community solar law, New Partners transfers tens of thousands of dollars in solar energy benefits, generated largely through solar panels on commercial buildings, to residents of affordable housing across the District—at no cost to the residents.
Jubilee will be part of an expansion of New Partners’ year-old program.
“Renters often can’t benefit from solar power because they don’t control the panels,” Martin Mellett, Jubilee’s vice president of Strategic Initiatives, explained. “Property owners usually reap the benefits. Now legislation and technology enable electricity generated by solar panels anywhere to be returned to the grid for PEPCO to distribute as property owners designate.”
As it expanded, New Partners sought additional rooftop placements and more D.C. residents who were struggling to pay their electricity bills. Jubilee offered both. Jubilee is installing solar roof panels at the Maycroft, which will deliver electricity directly to the city’s grid, as part of the building renovation. Residents at any Jubilee property will be eligible to participate in the program, which will go into effect once the Maycroft solar panels are operational.
Jubilee will give up approximately $8,000 to $10,000 in annual savings on operating costs in return for a 15-year guarantee from New Partners of a $50,000 per year reduction in PEPCO bills for 100 residents.
“Many of Jubilee’s residents live on extremely little income, even if they receive a subsidy for their rent,” Mellett said. “We’re beginning to check with our highest rent-burdened residents to see if they are interested in this program. Those who participate will receive not only savings on their PEPCO bills, but also help with budgeting, credit repair, and strengthening their personal financial position.”
Appealing to Our Better Nature This Spring
As we face the often-rainy days of April in D.C., we remind ourselves of the May flowers foretold, in the English proverb, to lie ahead. Likewise, in this season of growing disparity and polarization, Jubilee looks ahead to the creation of more justice housing communities, where divisions of income and tribe are put aside so all residents can lead full lives.
To advance that vision, Jubilee recently issued a spring appeal for investments to help expand the availability of (1) affordable, high-quality homes, (2) educational programming for children and youth, and (3) welcoming transitions for those returning from incarceration.
Featured in the appeal is a powerful example of justice housing creating strong and equitable communities. The letter tells of Jubilee residents who are building bonds by inviting Jubilee supporters into their homes for a meal and conversation. In sharing their personal stories, guests and hosts begin to break down barriers and affirm connections. They come to see new value in each other’s contributions to a shared future—contributions that transcend income level or background.
Join Jubilee’s work to accelerate a more inclusive society that offers all citizens access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.
Participate in our spring appeal by making a gift or send an email requesting more information.