In recent years, JUFJ has contributed to important victories for social and economic justice in DC.

YIMBY: Often, the wealthiest and most privileged neighborhoods work hard to prevent affordable housing from being built on their streets. "Yes In My Backyard" is a pro-active stance against what is commonly called NIMBY: "Not In My Backyard." From 2004-2006, JUFJ advocated for greater income diversity and inclusion of moderate and lower-income residents in some of DC's most rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods. JUFJ members joined with other affordable housing supporters to advocate for mandatory inclusionary zoning, a policy that provides a diversity of housing choices and sustains communities that are integrated across income levels. JUFJ members canvassed door-to-door and on the streets, participated in a rally and press event, organized a rabbinic sign-on, and testified before the DC Zoning commission. Mandatory inclusionary zoning became DC law in 2006.

Emergency Eviction Prevention: In DC, thousands of families live paycheck to paycheck, often on the brink of homelessness. Emergency eviction prevention assistance helps families pay their bills in times of crisis, allowing them to stay in their homes. In 2005 - 2006, JUFJ spearheaded a successful campaign to secure $7 million in the DC budget to provide emergency assistance. JUFJ volunteers collected hundreds of postcards supporting the funding, wrote a sign-on letter that eventually resulted in signatures from more than 30 local organizations, testified before the city council, and met directly with city council members. Funding for Emergency Eviction Prevention was included in the 2007 DC Budget.

DC Living Wage: While the federal government mandates a minimum wage, many full-time employees working at minimum wage or above are at risk of poverty and displacement. In 2005, the DC City Council considered joining its neighbors in Arlington, Alexandria, Montgomery County, and Prince George's County in passing a local living wage that would reflect the cost of living in Washington, requiring companies receiving contracts, grants, or subsidies from the District of Columbia to pay workers at least $11.75 per hour. JUFJ volunteers canvassed in Northeast DC, organized a rabbinic sign-on letter, led an interfaith text study on the issue, and made the issue the focus of our Labor on the Bimah program in 2005. In the spring of 2006, the DC City Council passed a living wage law.