Intern, Policy, Research and Communications

Enterprise is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $80.9 billion and created 1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands - all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging.

Join us at enterprisecommunity.org

Working at Enterprise

At Enterprise, you'll be part of a diverse, committed team making a difference every day. You will collaborate with some of the smartest minds and biggest hearts in our field. You'll be empowered to drive systems change and take bold steps to advance racial equity. And you will find a career home where you're valued and supported in your growth journey.

Enterprise offers career opportunities in our offices across the country with anexceptional benefits package.

Job Description Summary

Our Northern California office seeks solutions to a range of the most relevant and pressing affordable housing issues facing California, especially the Bay Area. As an intermediary, Enterprise provides technical assistance, convenes practitioners and advocacy coalitions, and collaborates with cross-sector partners including public agencies, community-based organizations, affordable housing developers, researchers, and funders. Our work aims to :

• Increase affordable housing supply through creating and expanding resources, eliminating barriers, and improving existing financing systems for the production and preservation of affordable housing;
• Support and strengthen resident and community stability through affordable housing preservation as well as other strategies that prevent low-income Californians from experiencing poor-quality housing conditions, housing instability, and homelessness;
• Support the long-term sustainability and strength of CA's affordable housing stock and affordable housing providers;
• Ensure Californians experiencing homelessness can be re-housed as quickly as possible, in the most appropriate housing placement, and provided responsive, culturally informed supportive services to facilitate recovery and housing retention;

Advance inclusive and equitable land use and development that promotes housing affordability, climate and community resilience, environmental sustainability, and enhances neighborhood connectivity; and

Promote racial equity, economic mobility and resident power for people historically excluded from shaping the decisions that affect their lives and those of their communities by supporting California's network of community land trusts, BIPOC housing providers, and other placed-based initiatives.

Enterprise is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff and a healthy and welcoming environment. We believe our successful team includes people from different backgrounds and experiences with fresh perspectives. We seek a diverse pool of applicants, including those from underrepresented groups and people with lived experience of housing insecurity.

Job Description

The Research and Policy Intern will support the Northern California Office's policy and research efforts, working closely with the Policy Team. This position is an excellent opportunity for an individual who is beginning their career and looking to apply their research, data, and writing skills to mission-driven work.This individual will be able grow their knowledge and experience in affordable housing and community development, policy and research, and collaborating with cross-sector partners.

The Intern will primarily support Enterprise's research and policy needs related to the 2026 California legislative session, including analyzing data on relevant housing programs and developing advocacy materials to share this information; developing case studies of specific affordable housing projects; conducting research on key policy topics, including affordable housing funding programs, rental arrears; analyzing policy proposals; and developing additional communications and advocacy materials.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with exceptional organizational skills as well as strong written and verbal communication who is willing to do a range of tasks to ensure quality workflow and delivery of high-quality work products. What is unique about this internship is the opportunity for mentorship : the Intern will work closely with the Policy Team and learn about Enterprise as an organization.

The internship is expected to start in Fall of 2025 and end by May 2026. Approximately 10-15 hours a week is expected, with at least half of that time working in-person at the San Francisco Office.

Responsibilities

Research and Analysis. Conduct research on affordable housing programs, impact of historic funding to housing programs, and emerging policy issues, including rental arrears.

Create Research and Advocacy Materials. Develop various advocacy and communications materials to present key data, case studies, and background information on legislative and budget priorities, as well as to summarize Enterprise's research.

Administrative Support . Support Policy Team in tasks including developing agendas, notetaking, scheduling and meeting logistics, and creating communications materials.

Qualifications

Preference for a current graduate or undergraduate student in public policy, urban / city planning, public administration or similar field; or comparable professional experience.

Knowledge and interest in housing policy, land use and zoning, affordable housing finance, and development.

Must possess strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively without constant supervision.

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to coordinate activities prioritize conflicting demands and meet deadlines.

Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

Ability to work independently, solve problems and take responsibility for moving tasks forward with minimal supervision.

Diplomacy, composure, flexibility and ability to adapt to a variety of situations.

Thorough knowledge of and proficiency with MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point; experience with or willingness to gain knowledge of additional collaborative software and platforms.

Willingness to work as an effective, enthusiastic member of a team in a dynamic environment.

Commitment to social, racial, and economic justice.

Total Rewards at Enterprise :

You will be working with a group of talented professionals who are motivated by serving the community and addressing the need for affordable housing.

The base pay for this role is $22 to $25, depending on level of skills and experience.

The salary range for this position is represented by the low and high end of the range for the amount to be paid for the position. Salaries paid at Enterprise will vary based on factors that may include skills, education, location, experience, and performance.Thank you for your interest in joining the Enterprise team in our effort and commitment to serve others.