Community engagement contributes to a lasting impact on housing equity in the DC area
UG2 Vice President of Operations, Chuck Restivo has always been socially aware and actively engaged to help others. About 15 years ago, he started thinking of ways to contribute to his local community in the Washington, DC area. He began looking for an organization that aligned with his personal and professional values of supporting access, equality, and diversity.
Jubilee Housing was the answer.
“This is an organization that’s the real deal,” says Restivo. “Not only do they have a cohesive strategy and solid business approach, but they’re also doing tremendous work in breaking the cycle of poverty. Part of our mission statement at UG2 is to be good citizens, with our employees, our customers, and also in the communities we serve. I’m proud to be a board member and supporter of Jubilee.”
Founded in 1973 by seven women who wanted to address substandard housing in the heart of the DC area, Jubilee Housing has grown from two modest apartment buildings to 13 properties that serve approximately 900 people with housing and supportive services. The organization’s approach is rooted in beliefs about faith, responsibility, and empowerment.
Beyond providing bricks and mortar itself, Jubilee and its leadership like Restivo, are active in addressing housing inequality. A recent series of conversations explored the intersection of housing, equity wealth, education, health, and incarceration. These are conversations that are crucial for building a city, and a country, focused on equal access and justice.
“At this point, the simple part is putting a roof over someone’s head,” says Restivo. “The rest of the services offered are about breaking the cycle of poverty, and of course that can be complex.”
Residents of Jubilee Housing aren’t given an end date for their stay, even if it’s transitional housing. Some have been there for over 20 years, while others live at Jubilee as a way to get back on their feet after a setback, or to save for a home, or to create stability after incarceration. About 75 percent of housing is reserved for families and individuals making 30 percent of the area median income or below, which is about $35,000 for a family of four.
The range of services is also notable, because it offers a holistic approach that includes not just safe and clean housing, but also job training and placement, day care, health care, programming for kids and teens, and access to healthy food.
Jubilee supports adults and teens pursuing economic stability, offering financial empowerment programs, a Teen Center to help prepare for college and careers, a scholarship program, an aging-in-place initiative, and K-6th grade programming, including summer camp. Restivo says the high school graduation rate for teens at Jubilee is almost 99 percent — while the graduation rate for Washington, D.C. in general is 68.5 percent — showing the remarkable effects of housing stability and supportive resources.
In a year of so much uncertainty, injustice, and unrest, one thing remains a constant: Equality makes a difference. That’s what the founders of Jubilee believed nearly 50 years ago, it’s why Restivo became so involved in the organization, and it’s why UG2 is proud to support him and Jubilee for their leadership.