A Few Minutes with Pari Ryan

Pari Ryan, Senior Project Manager, Housing Development Partners

When Pari Ryan walks by one of the many renovated affordable housing buildings in San Diego, she takes pride in seeing what she’s helped bring to life.

In her role at Housing Development Partners (HDP), a nonprofit affiliate of the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), Pari helps manage the start-to-finish process of completing those affordable housing renovations.

Among the properties she is helping HDP to renovate is the New Palace Hotel, an 80-unit SRO apartment complex for seniors at risk of homelessness in Bankers Hill.

Originally built in the early 1900s, and then rebuilt to original specifications in 1990 after a fire ravaged the site, the structure is currently being rehabilitated by HDP, in partnership with SDHC and with support from LISC.

Born in Iran, Pari immigrated with her family to the U.S. when she was 3. Growing up in San Diego, her childhood years were largely spent living in affordable housing.

“In a way, I feel grateful for that experience,” said Pari, who later earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration from San Diego State, “because it helps me appreciate even more what our residents are going through.”

Q: What is your role at HDP?
A: My role involves helping with the acquisition of the property, bringing together the development team, proceeding through the design phase, assembling all of the sources of financing, moving the project through every phase of construction, and then preparing it for our asset management team.

Q: What makes you proudest about your job?
A: When I walk by one of our developments and see people living there, just enjoying their space, that’s my proudest moment. I think to myself, “Wow, I helped make that happen.” It’s a tangible work product that makes people’s lives better.

Q: What are the challenges and rewards of what you do?
A: Because no two developments are exactly the same, you’re constantly on your toes and you have to be creative when difficult situations come up. And they always do. Development is pretty complex overall. So in the end, it’s rewarding to get through what can be a very challenging process.

Q: Looking back, how did growing up in affordable housing impact your life?
A: Honestly, I don’t know where I would’ve been if I hadn’t had that roof over my head. My family had lots of challenges, but we always had a place to live. No matter what your age, not knowing where you’re going to sleep at night can be extremely stressful. I’ve never forgotten that.

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Pari Ryan
Senior Project Manager
Housing Development Partners
1100 Broadway
San Diego, CA 92101
619-269-4640
pryan@hdpartners.org