DIVERSITY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Learn, grow and earn by joining the Affordable Housing Field!
About the Program
The California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) is proud to lead the Annual Rural West Internship Program for Diversity in Nonprofit Housing and Community Development (Internship Program) since 1998. The program operates in California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.
The CCRH Internship Program is a one-year paid internship designed to recruit, train, and retain housing development professionals who enhance inclusion and racial equity within the Affordable Housing Development field.
This internship is intended to provide an entry into the affordable housing and community development field to Black, Indigenous People of Color college students from historically underrepresented rural, farmworker, immigrant, low-income and marginalized community's representative of the growing diverse populations served by these nonprofit housing developers.
We strongly encourage applications from recent college graduates or students entering their last year of college so that upon graduating from college, they may be able to be employed in entry-level professional positions in the field. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply.
How the Internship Works
Three main entities make up the program: the intern, CCRH, and the Host Agency. CCRH is a nonprofit organization that serves as the coordinator of the program. We sponsor the program and coordinate all trainings and supplemental program activities. The Host Agency is the location where each Intern carries out day-to-day work. Each year, an average of twelve interns participates in working and learning at a nonprofit affordable housing developer or housing authority. All Host Agencies have a mission of working with low-income people and are actively working in rural communities. Host Agencies are located throughout the states of California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii.
Interns are selected via a competitive application process from across each state, and placed with a host agency for one year, beginning work in the summer (full-time) and continuing through the spring (part-time). The intern works closely with a supervisor and follows an Intern Work Plan that provides a well-rounded intern experience in the field of nonprofit affordable housing and community development. CCRH provides an internship program orientation to both Interns and host agencies to ensure an understanding of the program terms policies, and expectations, and to ensure an optimal experience for the intern and the Host Agency.
During the year, the intern will be actively involved in affordable housing development. The intern will learn hands-on what it takes to create affordable healthy living communities, and specifically learn the intricacies of developing and rehabilitating multifamily housing complexes from concept inception to construction completion for low-income and ethnically diverse communities.
While the program’s interns attend various universities in several states throughout the West, CCRH ensures each Intern gains the same basic skills and professional experience needed to pursue a career in the field after graduation from the program.
Internship Program Term And Pay
The term of the program is for one year, beginning as early as June 1 and ending May 31 of the following year. Interns are expected to start no later than June 30, work full-time during the summer, and transition to part-time work during the academic year.
The pay $18.00 per hour. For other Internship activities and training, CCRH pays for all intern travel, lodging, and meals based on CCRH guidelines.
Who Should Apply
We are seeking candidates interested in pursuing a career in the non-profit affordable housing and community development field. CCRH gives high priority to recent undergraduate college graduates and to students entering their last year of undergraduate studies at four-year universities so that upon graduating from college, they may be able to be employed in entry-level professional positions in the field if opportunities are available.
We seek to open opportunities in this field to Black, Indigenous People of Color college students from historically underrepresented rural, farmworker, immigrant, low-income backgrounds, and those that demonstrate a commitment to improving the quality of life of low-income and rural communities.
Some locations require that the Intern have access to a vehicle and a state-issued driver's license, or reliable transportation to carry out the day-to-day duties of the work. Interns will work in a combination model of remote work from home and in-person office visits each week.
2024-2025 Internship Program Locations
California
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Chico
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Sacramento
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Salinas
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Fresno
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Mammoth Lakes
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Santa Rosa
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Watsonville
Washington
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Spokane
Oregon
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Woodburn
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Sherwood
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Roseburg
Hawaii
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Honolulu
For more information, please contact Austyn Perry at Austyn@calruralhousing.org.
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What is Affordable Housing Development?This video explains the process of what it takes to build affordable housing. How to build affordable housing - 3 min - YouTube
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Who is CCRH?In California, nonprofit organizations have played a lead role in community development activities benefiting rural low-income families. The California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) is an umbrella for many of these organizations and others, such as nonprofit housing developers and public housing authorities. Most of these organizations began as single-purpose housing development corporations, but have since embraced more holistic approaches, combining affordable housing with other services benefiting residents and whole communities such as vocational training, financial literacy, homeownership education, development of sewer/water, childcare, and healthcare facilities. CCRH coordinates all Program components; including reviewing and approving the work assignments assigned to the Intern at the Host Agency and coordinating all supplemental program activities and trainings. Interns do not pay for any program costs. Interns stay in regular contact with Intern Program staff.
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Where Would I Carry-out My Internship Program and who would be my employer?Interns are hosted by CCRH member and/or partner host organizations active in the development and financing of affordable housing. Interns sign agreement with Host agencies prior to starting employment, since Interns are technically employees of the Host organization while simultaneously being a participant in the CCRH Internship Program. There are approximately 12 interns each year from across California, Oregon, Hawai’i and Washington State. Intern’s day-to-day work is carried out at their assigned Host organization. CCRH seeks Interns, who live or will be living within driving distance to the internship locations available. CCRH does not provide relocation nor housing assistance.
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Do I need to be a college student to participate?CCRH gives high priority to recent undergraduate college graduates and to students entering their last year of undergraduate studies at four-year universities so that upon graduating from college, they may be able to be employed in entry-level professional positions in the field, if opportunities are available. Community college and graduate students may also be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
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How long is the Internship Program and am I expected to complete the entire term?Interns are placed with a local affordable housing organization or housing authority (“Host Agency”) for a period of one year, working full-time during the summer and part-time (approx. 16-20 hrs/wk) during the following school year. This work schedule applies to both college students and recent undergraduate college students. All Interns are expected to make a commitment to complete the entire year and graduate from the program.
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Can I start my internship in one location during the summer and then move to a different one during the school year?No. All interns are expected to work in one location from the onset of the program year during the summer through the end of it the following year.
