D.C. Council approves emergency declaration to clear late Jubilee Housing contract after DHCD delays
February 18, 2025 | Legislative Meetings, Legislative, District of Columbia
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The Council of the District of Columbia on Feb. 18 approved an emergency declaration and passed legislation to finalize Multiyear Contract DHCD-2025-50 between the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Jubilee Housing, Inc., clearing the way for a reentry housing project the council funded in its June 2024 budget.
Chairman Mendelson called a second, special legislative meeting at 12:23 p.m. and said the contract had been expected for months but was filed late by the executive branch. "Since June of 20 24, there have been discussions between Jubilee and DHCD. Jubilee has missed several deadlines because of DHCD's tardiness," he said. He said the contract was filed with the council on the morning of Feb. 13 at 10:10 a.m.
The nut of the council's action was to approve an emergency declaration that allowed immediate consideration of the contract. Mendelson told colleagues the delay had been "very damaging to Jubilee Housing" and called DHCD's tardiness "inexcusable," saying he had suggested "that I think that someone should be fired for this." He also noted departures from senior positions at DHCD as a probable contributing factor.
Councilmember Parker asked whether the council had a reason for the delay; the meeting record shows the exchange and Mendelson's characterization of the department's handling. Councilmember Henderson asked if other contracts were similarly delayed; Mendelson said his office was aware of this project because it had worked with Jubilee but that he was not aware of other contracts in the same situation.
The council voted unanimously to adopt the emergency declaration and to pass the underlying bill, described in the record as "Bill 206-1203, Multiyear Contract Number DHCD-2025-50 with Jubilee Housing, Inc. Emergency Act of 2025." The meeting minutes record multiple "ayes" and the chair announced the ayes had it; no recorded opposition or abstentions was noted.
The meeting lasted about eight minutes. The council did not record in the public session any further details about the contract's dollar amount, specific financing terms, or implementation timeline. The chair and other members emphasized the urgency because the council had provided funding for the project in the June 2024 budget and said Jubilee had faced financial harm from the delay.
The emergency approval and bill passage mean the council completed the legislative step to authorize the contract. The transcript does not record subsequent administrative steps, specific funding amounts, or a timeline for closing and project implementation; those remain with DHCD and Jubilee Housing to execute.
The meeting adjourned at about 12:31 p.m.
Chairman Mendelson called a second, special legislative meeting at 12:23 p.m. and said the contract had been expected for months but was filed late by the executive branch. "Since June of 20 24, there have been discussions between Jubilee and DHCD. Jubilee has missed several deadlines because of DHCD's tardiness," he said. He said the contract was filed with the council on the morning of Feb. 13 at 10:10 a.m.
The nut of the council's action was to approve an emergency declaration that allowed immediate consideration of the contract. Mendelson told colleagues the delay had been "very damaging to Jubilee Housing" and called DHCD's tardiness "inexcusable," saying he had suggested "that I think that someone should be fired for this." He also noted departures from senior positions at DHCD as a probable contributing factor.
Councilmember Parker asked whether the council had a reason for the delay; the meeting record shows the exchange and Mendelson's characterization of the department's handling. Councilmember Henderson asked if other contracts were similarly delayed; Mendelson said his office was aware of this project because it had worked with Jubilee but that he was not aware of other contracts in the same situation.
The council voted unanimously to adopt the emergency declaration and to pass the underlying bill, described in the record as "Bill 206-1203, Multiyear Contract Number DHCD-2025-50 with Jubilee Housing, Inc. Emergency Act of 2025." The meeting minutes record multiple "ayes" and the chair announced the ayes had it; no recorded opposition or abstentions was noted.
The meeting lasted about eight minutes. The council did not record in the public session any further details about the contract's dollar amount, specific financing terms, or implementation timeline. The chair and other members emphasized the urgency because the council had provided funding for the project in the June 2024 budget and said Jubilee had faced financial harm from the delay.
The emergency approval and bill passage mean the council completed the legislative step to authorize the contract. The transcript does not record subsequent administrative steps, specific funding amounts, or a timeline for closing and project implementation; those remain with DHCD and Jubilee Housing to execute.
The meeting adjourned at about 12:31 p.m.
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