Intern

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy seeks to improve quality of life through the effective use, taxation, and stewardship of land. A nonprofit private operating foundation whose origins date to 1946, the Lincoln Institute researches and recommends creative approaches to land as a solution to economic, social, and environmental challenges. Through education, training, publications, and events, we integrate theory and practice to inform public policy decisions worldwide. With locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts; Washington, DC; Phoenix; and Beijing, we organize our work around six goals: low-carbon, climate-resilient communities and regions;efficient and equitable tax systems;reduced poverty and spatial inequality;fiscally healthy communities and regions;sustainably managed land and water resources;and functional land markets and reduced informality.

Lincoln Institute's affordable housing effort is designed to address systemic failures in national housing policies, lending practices, and land policies that are responsible for growing income and wealth inequality across the U.S. Blatant racial and ethnic discrimination built into local, state, and federal housing programs and practices has generated unacceptable housing outcomes for people of color in terms of wealth disparities, and in social, educational and health differences. These inequalities result in life expectancy differentials measured in decades.

The Lincoln Institute brings unique expertise in illuminating the role that land policies--land use planning, zoning, taxation and valuation-- play in exacerbating inequality through housing markets. More importantly, we identify and promote remedies for inequality that begin with, but do not end at land policy reform. For example, with the Ford Foundation, we provided initial support of the National Community Land Trust Network (which became Grounded Solutions Network) to mobilize providers of permanently affordable housing into a national movement. The Lincoln Institute is the convener of the Innovations in Manufactured and Modular Homes (I'm Home) network. I'm HOME comprises 400 practitioners, policymakers, researchers and homeowners working to expand homeownership and increase stable housing.

Lincoln Institute's affordable housing work focuses on four interventions in the sector: (1) home quality; (2) long-term land control; (3) housing finance; and (4) public policy reforms.

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is looking for an Project Administration Intern position for the Innovations in Manufactured/Modular Housing (I'm HOME) project. This internship is for current undergraduate or graduate/law students. As a member of thisteam,you will completea wide range ofindependent and directed researchactivities; aid convenings and activities; andprovide administrative support forbothteams.

The high-level goals of the I'm Home Network include: (1) Change the perception of manufactured housing and other forms of off-site construction, which is not well understood and misperceived as inferior housing. (2) Change practices in legal protections and lending while preserving existing mobile home parks. (3) Participate in networking, fostering mutual help among members through sharing of data and best practices.

This is a full-time at 20 hours/week paid Internship located preferably in the Washington DC reporting to the Director for Housing Access and Affordability. This Internship is scheduled to start in January 2026 and go through May 2026. If intern performs satisfactorily and workload permits, the internship could be continued through the Summer 2026

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  Provide administrative aid to both initiatives, including scheduling of meetings of networks/communities of practice,managing contracts as needed, and other administrative tasks

  
  
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  Help write for a variety of audiences and contexts, including case studies, memos and white papers, meeting agendas and materials, web content, and social media posts

  
  
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  Plan event content, draft event materials, and coordinate with speakers and theEvents team

  
  
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  Work with other internal teams to advancethe work of I'm HOME.

  
  
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  Be apoint of contact for thegeneral public by addressing inquiriesanddirectingthemappropriately.

  
  
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  Tasks include: (a) Post reports and other work products online and keep the relevant portions of the website up to date (b) Research topics of interest including greening legacy cities, economic development and other revitalization activities, and good planning practices for avoiding displacement as markets revitalize, (c) Aid network outreach activities, including research on cities and their leaders, drafting materials to send to potential network members, and tracking contacts and their engagement with the network.

  
  
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  Assist with other activities as requested.

  
  

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  Currently pursuing either an undergraduate or graduate degree or have commensurate community-based experience and should have a distinct interest in affordable housing, community development or planning.

  
  
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  Professionalwrittenand communicationskills

  
  
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  Strong organizational skills

  
  
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  Ability toindependently solve problems

  
  
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  Professional and positive attitude

  
  

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  From marginalized communities who may have personally experienced affordable housing discrimination or know people who have, are particularly encouraged to apply.

  
  
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  Demonstrated results through effective communication and coalition building skills with an ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders

  
  

Please submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter should succinctly describe your interest to join the team; why you are qualified; and what relevant expertise and experience you offer. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Cooperation and Teamwork,Forthright Feedback,Initiative,Acceptance of Responsibility,Multicultural Sensitivity

The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is dedicated to creating an inclusive work environment by hiring, training, promoting, and carrying out personnel procedures with respect to compensation, benefits, transfers, layoffs, or terminations, on the basis of individual merit, experience, and ability without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race such as hair texture, length of hair, protective hairstyles or cultural or religious headdresses), color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), ancestry, citizenship status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, military service, serious medical condition, expunged juvenile record, personal appearance, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, status as a victim, credit information, homelessness status, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by law or otherwise.

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy is a Non-Smoking organization. Smoking and the use of tobacco products are prohibited at all times and on all property owned, leased, or under the control of Lincoln Institute of Land Policy at all times, including, but not limited to indoor and outdoor grounds, walkways and sidewalks, parking lots, company vehicles, and private vehicles parked on Lincoln Institute of Land Policy property.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.