Hamza Mahamud Reflects on His Capitol Pathways Internship

Guest Blog by Hamza Mahamud, Twin Cities Habitat's Capitol Pathways Intern for 2025

Capitol Pathways provides access to policymaking and public service to the next generation of leaders who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). It is a paid spring internship program for BIPOC students who are currently enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college or university in Minnesota.

My name is Hamza Mahamud, and I am a rising senior at Macalester College majoring in Political Science, with minors in Data Science and Arabic. My time as a Capitol Pathways Intern with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity has been a wonderful transition into the world of affordable homeownership, and a deeper dive into the legislative process in Minnesota. Over the course of the session, I had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to both community engagement and policy work.

One of the highlights of my internship was participating in Habitat on the Hill, where I supported constituents in writing personal notes to their lawmakers and accompanied them in meetings with legislators to share why affordable homeownership matters in their own communities. Listening to the stories of new homeowners, something I aspire to be, deepened my appreciation for the power of everyday people in shaping public policy here in Minnesota.

Throughout the session, I also closely followed the First-Generation Down Payment Assistance (First Gen DPA) program. I attended committee hearings and joined coalition meetings with the Homeownership Minnesota Coalition (HOM), helping to support a broader movement for equitable housing opportunities. These meetings helped me understand the practical aspects of coalition work and demonstrated what collaboration looks like behind the scenes.

I also worked on several vital projects, including writing detailed reports on housing funding proposals and tracking updates to Omnibus bills. I conducted in-depth research on 4d property tax classification issues (also known as Low-Income Rental Classification), and explored the implications of future budget forecasts for affordable housing. I learned a lot about how the financial health of the state impacts affordable housing, and how those realities affect everyday Minnesotans.

I’m incredibly grateful for the mentorship and support I received from the Government Affairs team at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. I want to give a special shout-out to Greta Gaetz, Eva Goldfarb, and certainly not least, Emily Kirkevold for her wonderful leadership and guidance over this past session.

In the future, I want to take the lessons I learned from this experience and pursue a career in public advocacy. I intend on going to graduate school after my Senior year, and I certainly think that what I have learned here with Twin Cities Habitat has made an impact on me that will last for years to come.

Raise your voice! Join the movement of Habitat supporters advocating for affordable homeownership in our cities, across Minnesota, and throughout the nation.