Housing Internship Program Graduation
Last month, our HDC team had the honor of celebrating seven students as they complete the Housing Development Internship Program. This year’s graduation ceremony marks the completion of four program years of HDIP, a nine-month internship for students of color interested in careers in the affordable housing sector. Approximately 35 people, including host agency supervisors and community members, gathered at the 12th Avenue Arts Building on June 12 to congratulate the interns on their projects and successes.
Learn more about these seven future leaders below, and watch our new HDIP video to hear from three 2023 graduates about their experiences.
HDIP is now accepting applications for the 2023-24 program year—and this year, HDIP is expanding beyond affordable housing development to include focus tracks for architecture and construction management! You can also find more information and application materials by visiting our new HDIP landing page.
Congratulations, 2023 HDIP Graduates!
Filly Dawit completed his sophomore year at the University of Washington. Filly is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and minor in Urban Design & Planning and Informatics and is committed to pursuing a career in the affordable housing sector.
Zubda Hameed graduated from the University of Washington as a Fulbright Scholar with her Master of Arts in Public Administration, returned to Pakistan, and plans to apply her public policy experience with WSHFC to advance affordable housing at home. She recently began a new job at the Federal Board of Revenue, Pakistan.
Jia Yang graduated from the University of Washington with a dual Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate. Jia recently decided to return to China to work as the Chief Financial Officer at her father’s new manufacturing company.
Kezia Modica graduates from Seattle University with her Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics & Management and a minor in Entrepreneurship in the Fall 2023, with plans to remain in the affordable housing sector in real estate and finance capacities. Kezia is partnered with Nadine Philps, Resource Generalist with Chief Seattle Club, as her program mentor and will continue to meet with her through the remainder of this year.
Alaine Ziegenhagel graduated from the University of Washington with a dual Bachelor of Arts in Cinema & Media Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate. Alaine was hired by her host agency, Plymouth Housing, as an Associate Developer.
Amar Halaweh graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Real Estate with a minor in Business Administration. Amar plans to advance her career in the affordable housing sector, and has accepted a full-time position as Development Associate with Beacon Development Group, her Host Agency.
Chris Govella graduated from the University of Washington with a Master of Science in Real Estate and is committed to developing his career in the affordable housing sector with a focus on real estate and finance. Chris is partnered with David Baker, Real Estate Development Project Manager with Homestead Community Land Trust, as his mentor and plans to continue meeting with David through the remainder of the year. Chris has also been hired as an Associate Developer with SCIDpda!
The 4th HDIP year was made possible by many committed members of our community. We want to express our gratitude to the host agencies—Beacon Development Group, Chief Seattle Club, Community Roots Housing, King County Housing Authority, Lotus Development Partners, Plymouth Housing, and Washington State Housing Finance Commission—for your commitment to fostering a new generation of diverse leaders in the affordable housing sector. Thank you also to the speakers and community members who showed up to celebrate on June 12th. And last, but certainly not least, thank you to Amazon for supporting HDIP, and for making it possible for us to capture some of our intern and host experiences on video!
