Today, Jubilee Housing and DC Green Bank broke ground on a new energy-efficient affordable housing development that will deliver new homes and workforce training to Ward 1. The new building, King Emmanuel Baptist Church (KEB), will have 18 single-room occupancy (SRO) units for returning citizens, feature an all-electric community kitchen offering workforce training programs, and serve as a hub for Jubilee Housing’s Reentry Housing Initiative Program. The project is located at the site of the King Emanuel Baptist Church — one of the longest-standing African American churches in Ward 1 — and will retain the façade and key design elements to honor its legacy in the neighborhood.
DC Green Bank provided a $3 million loan to finance high-performance building upgrades, including a variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heating and cooling system, which is anticipated to lower greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 50%. Other green elements include high-efficiency insulation, energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and building envelope upgrades. The building is designed to meet Enterprise Green Communities Certification Plus, one of the highest standards for sustainable buildings. In addition to the DC Green Bank-funded heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the development will include a rooftop solar system that will generate an estimated 21,000 kWh annually, reducing carbon emissions by the equivalent of more than 32,000 miles driven by car.
Residents at KEB will have the option to transition to housing at the Jubilee Ontario Place development, a 52-unit affordable housing building adjacent to the site, which is under construction with financing from DC Green Bank. KEB residents will also have access to job training and opportunities with the farm. This basement and rooftop aquaponics farm — Jubilee Farms — will be the first in the region associated with affordable housing.
“DC Green Bank’s collaboration with Jubilee Housing shows the power of green finance to help achieve our sustainability goals while creating jobs and supporting resident empowerment in the community,” said Trisha Miller, CEO of DC Green Bank. “Jubilee’s creativity in bringing together housing, workforce development, and access to healthy foods shows how investments in the clean economy can transform communities and support residents.”
The project will be the first funded under the District’s Department of Housing and Community Development’s long-term Reentry Housing and Services Pilot Grant. The DC Council approved funding for the pilot grant program in 2018 to provide immediate housing and services for returning citizens.
“DC Green Bank’s dedication to equity and sustainability helps us deliver creative solutions that build thriving communities,” said James Knight, Chief Executive Officer of Jubilee Housing. “The KEB and Ontario Place projects embody our vision of a future where housing, workforce development, and the clean economy combine to uplift and strengthen the fabric of our neighborhoods.”
The KEB building is expected to be completed in early 2026.
DCGB-Jubilee KEB Release 3.11.25