Foundations for the Future Creates New

Home Ownership Opportunities

This summer, Foundations for the Future, welcomed its inaugural cohort of 44 participants marking the launch of an innovative initiative designed to help Washington, D.C. families achieve sustainable homeownership and build generational wealth.

The program provides a comprehensive package of support that goes beyond traditional homebuyer assistance. Participants receive direct financial assistance toward purchasing a home, financial counseling, legal representation, estate planning services, and housing remediation support. Together, these services create a holistic model that helps families not only buy homes, but also maintain, protect, and pass them on to future generations.

Foundations for the Future is a collaborative effort with Yachad, birdSEED, TzedekDC, and DC Affordable Law Firm (DCALF). By combining each organization's unique expertise, the partnership has created a coordinated strategy that supports families throughout every stage of the homeownership journey—from financial preparation and home purchase to inheritance planning and long-term home preservation.

To identify the inaugural cohort, birdSEED reviewed and interviewed more than 75 applicants. Beginning in September, participants will start financial empowerment classes led by TzedekDC, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed for long-term financial stability. DCALF is already assisting families who are inheriting family homes by helping them establish clear titles and preserve ownership. Following home purchases, Yachad will work directly with homeowners to assess housing conditions, coordinate needed repairs, and help ensure their homes remain safe, stable, and well maintained for years to come.

The $3.8 million initiative is funded by the Health Equity Fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation and aims to create a replicable model for expanding equitable homeownership opportunities across the District.

"Keep Ivy City Home" Partners with Yachad

Keep Ivy City Home" is a new collaborative between EmpowerDC and the Douglass Community Land Trust, working to prevent displacement and stabilize homeowners and renters in the Ivy City neighborhood in Northeast, DC. Yachad will be joining the effort by providing home remediation services to these long-standing Ivy City homeowners.



Ivy City is a small neighborhood in the city's Ward 5. It is home to over 70 homeowners who purchased their homes through subsidized home-purchase programs, most with 15-years affordability restrictions. Some residents are coming up on the end of the affordability restriction period and are starting to encounter increased repair needs. There are also a number of long-standing homeowners, mainly seniors with limited incomes in need of support. Yachad will focus its resources, in combination with "Keep Ivy City Home," to meet these needs.

Support to these families is only one part of the "Keep Ivy City Home" initiative. On-going advocacy and organizing work includes addressing health disparities, preventing displacement due to rent increases and advocating for better land use planning regarding new industries and business coming to the Ivy City community.

Yachad is exciting to be part of this critical effort to maintain long-term community stability.

 Thank you to the Health Equity Fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation for support of this effort.

Yachad By the Numbers so far in 2026

 72 Homes located in Wards 5,7 and 8 inspected

for unhealthy housing conditions in the past 12 months

 34 Homes accepted and received or receiving remediation services.

 Over 120 people served, including more than 50 children.

 102 Virtual home visits and services through Yachad’s Asthma Home Visiting Program in partnership with Children’s National Hospital

100% of the homes owned by Black or Brown head of households.

Yachad completed comprehensive remediation work on 36 homes

over the past 18 months, totaling over $250,000 in costs to Yachad,

approx. $300,000 in fair market value for labor and materials.

With appreciation.....

Yachad works with some of the best skilled tradespeople and general contractors in the DMV. We are very grateful to all of them. This month we highlight Erik Schmidt, of Schmidt Electric, who provided first-class electrical repair work for two homeowners with extensive electrical issues. At one home, Schmidt Electric upgraded the electric panel, circuits and replaced non- functioning outlets. In a second home, the work involved replacing damaged outlets, and switches and repairing circuitry. Our homeowners are thrilled to have their homes safe and bright.

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