His research focuses on inner-city economic development, with an emphasis on national housing policy, urban politics, affordable housing and small-business finance, poverty, and race. Hyra previously worked at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, assessing affordable housing and small-business lending programs; and at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, examining the community-level impact of national urban legislation. He currently serves as the vice chairman of the board of commissioners for the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.