Ruth Hoang: A Leading Voice in Real Estate, Championing Women and Innovation

Over the past few months, Ruth Hoang, Senior Vice President of Development at Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners, has emerged as a prominent speaker at several key industry panels. These discussions have centered around navigating economic uncertainties and formulating solutions to challenges facing commercial real estate. Ruth’s engagements are particularly notable as they were all with organizations dedicated to advancing women as leaders in real estate and fostering a vibrant environment for thought leadership, idea exchange, and networking.

As a long-tenured female senior executive in the CRE space, Ruth is deeply committed to supporting women in the traditionally male-dominated real estate sector and her passion extends to addressing critical issues like the affordable housing crisis, eradicating homelessness, and building opportunities for underserved communities to thrive. Her involvement on non-profit boards and committees for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Bridges to Housing Stability demonstrates her dedication to meaningful change both within and beyond the industry.

Throughout these recent panels, Ruth recognized some common themes affecting the commercial real estate market today, including the dynamics of interest rate adjustments and federal workforce changes. She has adeptly pointed out the challenges, such as high economic vacancy rates, and underscored the need for strategic policy engagement to mitigate risks and harness potential opportunities.

Below are a few key insights from recent program discussions with the Real Estate Women’s Forum, the Women’s Leadership Initiative, and the Women’s Affordable Housing Network.

Strategic Partnerships and Policy Advocacy: During a pivotal panel with the Women’s Leadership Initiative and ULI NEXT, there was a healthy discussion on how federal actions and economic policies are reshaping the commercial real estate landscape in Washington, D.C. She stressed the importance of ongoing partnerships with the D.C. government, advocating for innovative tax abatement and progressive adjustments in policies like those proposed in the RENTAL Act, vital for the industry’s growth and resilience.

Understanding Market Trends: Several discussions delved into the significant impact of federal government policies on local real estate, highlighting shifts in tariffs, labor availability, and interest rates. Ruth emphasized the critical nature of these changes, noting that while only a small percentage of residents in Jair Lynch properties are federal workers, the broader policy shifts are reshaping market demand and supply dynamics.

Navigating Interest Rates and Housing Trends: Interest rates and cap rates have been critical factors, with fluctuations significantly impacting investment and development strategies. In these challenging financing environment, projects will have to pivot to alternative financing sources and structures to meet higher benchmark returns and reduce equity capital requirements. It was pointed out that the historically low delivery of multifamily apartments in the DMV has created significant rent growth, and will help drive execution of market rate projects. Notwithstanding, construction costs may continue to be rise sharply due to newer tariffs, and prudent expedited buyout will be key in controlling costs for new projects.,

Policy and Partnership Opportunities: Looking ahead, the panels emphasized the crucial role of strategic partnerships with city officials to steer and influence policy changes that support sustainable growth. Ruth highlighted potential interventions like the expansion of tax abatement programs and adjustments to housing regulations that could foster more inclusive and dynamic urban development.

Commercial Real Estate’s Role in Equitable Development: The discussions also covered the vital role of commercial real estate in promoting equitable development across D.C.’s neighborhoods. Ruth and her peers advocated for policy changes that ensure historically underinvested areas benefit from new investments and sustainable practices. While developing attainable housing for all remains a key mission of the firm, creating economic empowerment through the housing and job opportunities during construction and operations remains a focal point for creating equity in our communities.

Advancing Women in CRE

In an industry where women are minorities, purposeful and inclusive leadership are key strategies that Ruth utilizes in her day-to-day management of projects and teams. Maintaining work-life harmony ensures her ability to wear her many life hats, but specific personal reflection and check-ins are vital to avoid burnout.

As we navigate the complexities of today’s market, Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners remains committed to leveraging these insights to shape impactful real estate projects through strategic partnerships, policy engagement, and sustainable practices.

For a deeper dive into these topics, don’t miss Ruth Hoang at the upcoming Bisnow Washington D.C. State of the Market event on June 5, 2025. Ruth will join the panel “Shaping D.C.’s Future: Transformative Developments Across the City” to share her perspective on the opportunities and challenges defining our region’s growth.

We invite you to register here and be part of the conversation.

If your organization is seeking a dynamic and insightful voice to speak on affordable housing, equitable development, or market trends, we also welcome you to reach out. Ruth and our broader team bring a depth of expertise and passion to every stage — from idea to impact.