Housing (read time: 20 min)
Where to begin? Starting points in housing
Policy + Research
Housing advocacy
Housing development
So you want to work in Housing?
For those who are housing-secure, a place to live is such a fundamental part of one’s life that it rarely even comes to mind. However, even a cursory look at the state of affairs today shows we are in a housing crisis and have been living in one for decades. For the countless homeless, rent-burdened, and/or housing-insecure individuals living in the United States, housing is not just an issue, but the issue. Policy makers, advocates, developers, organizers, service providers and researchers have built a variety of solutions and support structures to alleviate the housing crisis, but the problems continue. Young people that are willing to learn from impacted communities and work hard can build on the work of the past to create a future where everyone has a stable and safe place to live.
If this career path sounds exciting to you, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about working in housing. To inform our work, Second Day has spoken to experts in the field and gathered the best information out there for upcoming and recent graduates. First, the guide will take you through the different entry-level positions to look out for in this field. Then, we’ll provide tips on actually getting those jobs in housing. We’ll finish with our next three steps: actionable items you can take to make progress towards finding your first job in housing. Let’s get started!
This guide was written by Rachel Angle (SDIF ‘20) in partnership with the Second Day team.
Many thanks to experts in the field who supported this work:
Isiah Fleming-Klink, Strategic Planning Analyst at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
Michaela Ross, Pro Bono Fellow at Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP / Central Virginia Legal Aid Society
Michael Salgueiro, Former Affordable Housing Research Fellow at Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
Where to begin? Starting points in housing
Since there are multiple pathways to create housing solutions, this guide will help you think through if you want to start off doing research on housing policy solutions, following a political path with advocacy work, work to develop affordable and low-income housing, provide shelter and services to housing insecure individuals, or work at the intersection of housing and law.
Policy + Research
OVERVIEW
In order to fix the housing and homelessness crises that the US faces, top think tanks have created teams to research and design policy and practice solutions. If you enjoy research, a position at one of these organizations is your best starting point. This work can be intellectual and exciting, and you will likely start off as a Research Assistant. While these positions and their tasks vary, you can expect to do some combination of qualitative research and quantitative research. Data analysis skills are highly valued, and in some cases required, so if you don’t enjoy working with numbers, think carefully about what positions you apply to. One potential drawback to this work is that you may feel removed from the issue itself一though some of the organizations listed below are doing great community-engaged research. Regardless, starting out in research will provide you with an excellent start for a career in housing.
HOW TO BEST POSITION YOURSELF FOR A JOB IN POLICY/RESEARCH
The best way to get a job as a Research Assistant is to have prior research experience, whether academic, professional or both. As mentioned above, most positions will ask for (or highly prefer) hard data analysis skills like using R, GIS mapping, SAS, and/or Excel. Picking up some of these tools, even on an introductory level, can set you apart as an applicant. If you haven’t yet taken a data analysis class during undergrad, make sure to do so. If you’re not able to take such a course, show initiative by using Linkedin learning (lots of universities have their own subscription) or Coursera to get the skills independently.If you want to get your foot in the door and are struggling with Research Assistant positions, you may want to take an Administrative Assistant position which will help you move up to a more substantial role. Housing research/policy organizations may also have research internships, which are another great way to get in early and prove your skills. To learn more about entry-level jobs in research and the job process, check out the full Second Day guide here.
ORGANIZATIONS
Urban Institute, Mathematica, Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), Chapin Hall at UChicago, Brookings, Center for American Progress, Bipartisan Policy Center
Career Snapshot: Research Analyst at Urban Institute
Nicole is a Research Analyst in the Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center at the Urban Institute. Before joining Urban, she worked in community organizing in Iowa and Ohio and researched the privatization of the criminal justice system at In the Public Interest. She earned her BA in government with minors in economics and justice and peace studies from Georgetown University, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
Housing advocacy
OVERVIEW
Thanks to the work of public-policy think tanks, there are hundreds of proposed solutions to the housing crisis. However, when it comes to enacting innovative housing policy, local and national advocacy organizations work to put those solutions into practice. You can be a housing advocate from both inside and outside the government. From the outside, you might lobby or organize to push local/national organizations to pass housing policies (for example, housing organizations were instrumental in pressing for rental relief and homelessness assistance in recent legislation). You can also advocate for housing policy while working for an elected official on each level of government.
HOW TO BEST POSITION YOURSELF FOR A JOB IN HOUSING ADVOCACY
When it comes to skill building, writing will be an important piece of work as an advocate. Preparing writing samples in advance (topic-specific if possible) will make the application process easier. Building volunteer experience with local housing advocates will help you create the necessary connections to start out in this work. This world is pretty small, so if you really get to know one organization in the location where you want to live/work, they can open the door to connections across the industry. Similarly, if you don’t have direct experience with housing insecurity, direct service experience is both a responsible and informative first step into housing advocacy (check out Second Day’s career guide for direct service here).
Some other ways to get your foot in the door include...
Working in the US Legislature: You will build valuable connections on Capitol Hill and an understanding of the legislative process. If you work your way up the Capitol Hill ladder and become a Legislative Assistant, you may be assigned your member’s housing portfolio. These connections/experiences will then allow you to be an external advocate after you leave. You’ll interact with the housing players working in DC, and understand what it takes to get legislation passed. Learn more about how to get these jobs here;
Tenant Organizing: As an organizer, you can learn from the experience of working with and organizing tenants into associations to advocate for their rights as renters. You’ll see the injustices tenants face on a daily basis, and understand the problems policy needs to fix first hand. You will also learn the structures of who controls housing funding and how it is allocated. Learn more about community organizing here;
Local Government: Working with local government allows you to see the consequences of national housing policy in towns and cities. You’ll craft policy to fit your community and implement tangible changes. In addition, you will build connections with local advocacy groups that you can leverage while looking for an advocacy job. Learn more about working in local government here.
(NATIONAL) ORGANIZATIONS
National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Homelessness Law Center, National Fair housing Alliance, Stewards for Affordable Housing
Career Snapshot: Housing Advocacy Organizer at NLIHC
Brooke comes to NLIHC from Nebraska by way of Philadelphia, PA, where she spent the last few years supporting state and local coalitions in their efforts to achieve solutions to housing poverty. Specifically, she worked as an MSW intern with the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, informing and mobilizing coalition members to advance equitable housing policy. Then she worked as Philadelphia’s Regional Housing Coordinator for the Self-Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania, focusing on expanding affordable and accessible housing options for people with disabilities and older adults. Prior to beginning her career in affordable housing, she spent time working in direct services in Nebraska for both the Head Start program and a domestic violence shelter. Brooke earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and her Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Housing development
OVERVIEW
There simply isn’t enough market-rate (or affordable) housing in the United States. Therefore, the business of creating more units for people to live in is a major piece of the housing industry. Domestic development opportunities vary, with options at both nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Some organizations might only build affordable units or low-income units, while others might build market-rate housing and commit to a certain number of subsidized units. Though this guide will focus on affordable housing development, you could end up at a regular real-estate development firm that does some affordable housing work, which is a viable route as well.
Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs): Affordable housing development can often be quite complex, so these organizations provide loans to affordable housing developers and help them apply for tax credits so they can get the capital they need to purchase buildings and begin development.
Public housing authorities (PHA): There are 3300 PHAs across the country that administer state and federal funds locally. Collectively, they support a million households living in public housing across the US. Jobs at PHAs right out of school can be challenging to get, since most roles want a few years of experience, but it is worth talking to your local PHA about their work. PHAs are increasingly looking for innovative approaches to increase their impact, such as utilizing HUD’s FSS Program effectively.
Real estate development: This can be a well-paid way to hit the ground running in the housing world. While development can be a complicated and politically charged issue, with serious concerns about its relationship to gentrification, you’ll gain invaluable insight into the financial side of housing that might be needed to work later at a nonprofit or in government. For-profit developers also tend to have more resources for training and personal development.
Real estate investors: These organizations will give you experience, qualifications, and a stable salary to set you up for a transition into mission-driven housing work. Especially if you don’t have the ability to work a low-income job and/or get a master’s degree, you can gain valuable skills and credentials working in for-profit real estate development that will catapult your ability to get other jobs in the field.
HOW TO BEST POSITION YOURSELF FOR A JOB IN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
If you want to go into housing development, you will need to hold your own when it comes to finance. In particular, you will need to have excellent excel skills. Almost every developer relies on excel in some way, so taking a class or self-teaching these skills is necessary. In addition, highlight any economics or finance courses you have taken to show you are fluent in financial jargon. Another way to stand out in the job search is to stay updated on the latest news and practices of housing development. Since this field is constantly changing, being able to easily discuss the latest changes to the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), or funding models for public private partnerships is a way to show dedication to the field, and readiness for the job.
Like most jobs, the best way to get your foot in the door is by networking. Especially with smaller development organizations, openings might not be listed publicly, and networking will help you find opportunities. With larger and for-profit organizations, you can rely more on traditional job postings and recruiting structures. Another way to start out is through fellowships. This Second Day guide will take you through plenty of fellowships, and be sure to check out the NYC Urban Fellows program or San Francisco Fellows program if you’re interested in development. For internship opportunities, and entry-level positions, also make sure to check out the Fannie Mae future housing leaders program.
ORGANIZATIONS:
Neighborworks, Enterprise Community Partners (affordable housing development), National Equity Fund, Goldman Urban Investment Group, Lument Capital, Citi Community Capital, LISC (CDFI), NYC Housing Preservation and Development
Career Snapshot: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and Affordable Housing Organization
Susan comes to NeighborWorks America from its network organization Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City (NHSNYC), where she served as Chief Executive Officer. She led a team of housing professionals responsible for addressing the issues of affordable housing and fighting displacement in New York City neighborhoods through education, grants and affordable loans. She joined NHSNYC in 2010 as the Chief Operating and Financial Officer. Prior to joining NHSNYC, she was the senior vice president and chief retail officer for Carver Federal Savings Bank in New York. She retired from Bank of America in 2006 after 28 years as Senior Vice president and Premier Banking Market Manager. During her tenure, she was responsible for the growth of a $3 billion portfolio and new client acquisition for Hudson & Essex County in New Jersey.
Last updated: July 2021