Paid Affordable Housing Internship

Job Description: 

Join the CCRH Internship Program and Make a Difference! 

Are you passionate about creating a more just and inclusive society? Do you want a career where your work positively impacts low-income communities? The California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) is seeking passionate, community-minded students for a one-year paid internship focused on affordable housing development.  

Interns work alongside experienced real estate development teams at nonprofit housing organizations to help plan, finance, and build affordable rental housing - from early project planning to construction and lease-up. You’ll gain hands-on experience in the development process while receiving leadership training and professional mentorship to launch your career in the field. 

Is this Job Remote? 

This job requires in-person collaboration at the host agency's office. 

Locations Available: 

Chico, CA 

Fresno, CA 

Mammoth, CA 

Modesto, CA 

Sacramento, CA 

San Diego, CA 

Visalia, CA 

Why Join? 

Earn While You Learn: $20/hour for up to 1,320 hours over the program year. 

Hands-On Experience: Work directly with nonprofit housing organizations developing affordable housing. 

Leadership Development: Attend retreats, workshops, and mentorship programs to grow your professional skills. 

Build Your Network: Connect with nonprofit leaders and housing professionals dedicated to social impact. 

Contribute to Positive Change: Help create dignified housing in rural and historically underserved communities. 

What You’ll Do: 

Support Affordable Housing Development: Assist with financial applications, project budgets, and loan closings. 

Develop Leadership Skills: Participate in shadowing opportunities, professional training, and mentorship programs. 

Engage in Community Initiatives: Coordinate community engagement and resident services projects. 

Contribute to Nonprofit Success: Help organizations operate effectively and better serve their communities. 

Requirements 

Eligibility & Program Fit 

Applicants must meet the following baseline eligibility requirements: 

Be enrolled in their junior or senior year of a 4-year undergraduate college (recent graduates and community college students may be considered on a case-by-case basis).  

Be able to commit to the full internship schedule: full-time (40 hours/week) during summer 2026 and part-time (16–20 hours/week) from September 2026 to May 2027.  

Have an interest in exploring careers in affordable housing, real estate development, or nonprofit leadership.  

Live or plan to live within driving distance of one of the participating host agency locations.  

Have access to reliable transportation (personal or public). 

In addition, strong candidates often bring: 

An interest in or understanding of affordable housing challenges and community development issues, such as housing affordability, displacement, access to opportunity, rural housing needs, etc. 

Exposure to these topics through lived experience, coursework, research, volunteer work, employment, or community involvement. 

Curiosity about how housing policy and development decisions impact people and communities. 

A desire to build technical skills such as project coordination, budgeting, and working on multidisciplinary teams. 

Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn in a professional environment. 

A readiness to grow professionally through mentorship, feedback, and hands-on project work. 

Internship Timeline & Work Hours: 

Full-Time Work: June – August 2026 (40 hours per week) 

Part-Time Work: September 2026 – May 2027 (16-20 hours per week) 

Location: This job requires in-person collaboration at the host agency's office. 

Mandatory Training Events: 

A 4-day in-person Summer Training Institute (July 2026) 

Virtual workshops - Held monthly or semi-monthly 

Rural Housing Summit (October 13-16th 2026) 

Mid-Winter Retreat (January 2027) 

Final Project Presentation and Graduation (May 2027) 

Application Process: 

We encourage you to apply early! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority deadline of Friday, March 27th, 2026. Some locations may close as spots are filled, so submitting your application before the priority deadline ensures full consideration for all available placements. 

Steps: Submit your application through our Zoho Recruit portal. Include: 

Your resume 

A cover letter (up to 500 words) explaining your interest in affordable housing and community development, your goals, and any experiences that have shaped your passion for this work. These are suggestions, but feel free to share anything that demonstrates your fit for the program. 

At least one letter of recommendation 

Salary Description: 

$20/hour