JOB DESCRIPTION
SAHF’s interns make meaningful contributions to our work by conducting research and analysis that relates directly to SAHF initiatives and members’ on-the-ground experiences. Decarbonization is a rapidly evolving topic area within the larger field of environmental sustainability that directly impacts affordable housing properties and historically disadvantaged communities. SAHF has identified the following as distinct projects that would further our work on decarbonization and is prepared to work with the right candidate on alternative projects addressing energy-related carbon emissions in a manner relevant to multifamily affordable housing.
SAHF Member Solar Energy Projects Assessment and Analysis. During the Big Reach initiative and beyond, SAHF has been tracking SAHF member sustainability projects, including solar energy projects. As incentives have grown and solar installation costs have decreased, SAHF has seen an increase in installations across the portfolio. To better understand the impact of these solar energy systems on SAHF members and residents, the intern will:
Review, consolidate and analyze solar energy project data in SAHF’s current tracking document.
Work with SAHF members’ sustainability staff to gather information to fill in gaps in solar energy project data.
Develop a short internal report and presentation to share results of data analysis, including trends, successes, and challenges.
Develop a front-facing resource to share with the broader affordable housing sector.
Affordable Housing Utility Allowance and Energy Upgrade Impacts Research. With passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, there is significant opportunity for affordable housing owners to utilize new funding to install upgrades that will reduce energy usage and costs. However, it is critical to understand the impact on rents and utility allowances in subsidized affordable housing. SAHF has an internal overview and training document that will be used as a resource in order to:
Review and document utility allowance methodologies, policies and regulations associated with various federal rental housing programs, with a particular focus on programs applicable to SAHF member properties.
Draft an analysis that communicates the various utility allowance methodologies impact the ability for property owners to pursue energy upgrades or participate in energy efficiency or other sustainability-related programs.
Identify utility allowance policy, regulatory or methodology solutions that allow for property owners to pursue energy upgrades and ensure equitable outcomes for residents.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree preferred;
Background in policy, law, architecture, engineering, environmental science or urban planning with an emphasis on sustainability or real estate;
Interest in affordable housing, low-income communities, and equity;
Excellent written communicator;
Analytical thinker with the ability to research and synthesize topical information, draw connections between topic areas, and assess policy implications for a specific sector;
Familiarity with utility benchmarking and/or utility allowances a plus.
Experience with SharePoint, Tableau, website population, social media, or design software a plus.
Experience working with a remote supervisor a plus.
This is a temporary, non-exempt, paid position. No vacation or other benefits are offered with this position. The intern will be paid hourly at a rate of $20 to $25 per hour commensurate with education and experience.
Please submit a resume and cover letter which addresses the required qualifications to jobs@sahfnet.org . Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Due to the volume of applications usually received, we regret that we cannot individually respond to all candidates.