Upon my arrival at Jubilee, I was excited to immerse myself in housing policy and to gain insights on what it is to work in the private sector. I was able to see first-hand how politics and policies impact residents and local non-profits like Jubilee. It has been an insightful experience and a meaningful journey.
The spring semester was a great time to live in D.C. with the snow, Cherry Blossom Festival, visits to the monuments, the Wharf, the early spring days, and all of my hangouts while at Jubilee in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. It was perfect. Housing policy is not just about money, disparity studies, and numbers; it is about real people with real stories and experiences, and how housing policy can alter their lives.
I witnessed the closing of Performance Oversight and the first half of Budget Oversight within the busy advocacy cycle. The hard work, time, dedication, precision, and accuracy gained from this experience is innumerable. I testified before the Housing Committee and spoke on behalf of Jubilee and its residents. I talked about my time in DC as a student and young adult while expressing concerns for funding cuts to programs like the Housing Production Trust Fund and the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. These are funds that directly affect residents’ ability to remain housed. This money is also important for the development of affordable housing within the District—which is a huge part of what Jubilee does. Testifying before the District of Columbia Council was not on my bucket list for this internship, but I enjoyed every single part of it.
I worked alongside Vice President of External Affairs Tyrell Holcomb and our amazing residents and the inaugural group of Jubilee’s resident advocacy team, called the “A-Team.” I saw first-hand how Jubilee fulfills its mission daily by providing quality housing, robust supportive services, and creating neighborhoods with strong communities.
My tenure at Jubilee taught me how to frame policy to be a “one size fits all” because if policy serves one group but then creates a shortfall for others, someone will always lose. Creating policy with a pragmatic approach to ensure that everyone is served is crucial, and relationship building is an essential component. I’m grateful for all the experience.
About Zaire
During Spring 2026, I served as the Public Policy and Advocacy Intern in Jubilee Housing’s Advocacy Department. Originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, I am a rising senior at Drew University in Madison, NJ, studying Political Science. I am an advocate, a community leader, always a student, a young professional, a policymaker in training, and a bright mind.