Real Estate Development Internship

Real Estate Development Summer Internship

June 9 – August 7, 2026 | Up to 30 hrs/week | $15/hr | Richmond, VA

Grant-Funded Position: This position is sponsored through the Atlantic Union Bank 2026 Future Impact Makers Paid Internship Grant.

ABOUT US

Building Communities. Changing Lives.

Better Housing Coalition (BHC) is Richmond, Virginia’s largest not-for-profit community development corporation. We revitalize historic neighborhoods and develop new ones across Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Petersburg. Our portfolio includes 23 multi-family rental communities — eight serving low-wealth seniors — with 1,900 rental units, and over 250 single-family homes built or renovated for first-time homebuyers.

We develop sustainable, mixed-income communities that are architecturally beautiful, environmentally responsible, and professionally managed to meet the evolving needs of the people who call them home.

THE OPPORTUNITY

What You’ll Do

This internship is fully embedded within BHC’s Real Estate Development (RED) department. You’ll rotate on a periodic basis between three divisions, gaining hands-on exposure to every stage of affordable housing development:

Single-Family Development Support development of new and renovated single-family homes sold to first-time buyers. Multifamily Development Assist with multi-family residential communities, including LIHTC-financed affordable housing. Home Ownership Counseling Engage with the team helping low-to-moderate income residents navigate the path to homeownership.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Managing project data and tracking progress through BHC’s online project management platform

• Supporting the team in pursuing property acquisitions

• Assisting in completing housing development tasks across the department

• Attending and contributing to team meetings and on-site construction visits

COMPENSATION & STRUCTURE

Hours and Compensation:

The pay for this internship is $15/hr and the time commitment is 30 hours per week.

Key Dates:

• June 9, 2026: Internship begins — orientation with BHC HR and initial department check-in

• June – August 2026: Rotations through Single-Family, Multifamily, and Home Ownership Counseling divisions

• August 7, 2026: Internship concludes

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Grow Beyond the Office

In addition to on-the-job training, interns will participate in four virtual learning sessions hosted by Atlantic Union Bank over Microsoft Teams, plus at least one external professional development opportunity provided by BHC.

Atlantic Union Bank Virtual Learning Sessions:

• June 9 at 12:00 PM: Kickoff — Welcome and program overview

• June 25 at 3:00 PM: Know Your Worth — Career confidence and compensation literacy

• July 14 at 11:00 AM: How to Show Up on LinkedIn — Personal branding for emerging professionals

• July 30 at 10:00 AM: Closing & Feedback — Reflections, takeaways, and next steps

Top Skills You’ll Develop:

• Real Estate Finance

• Project Management

• Community Development

• Property Acquisition

• Site Visits & Field Work

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Who Should Apply

We are recruiting undergraduate, certificate program, and graduate-level students with a genuine interest in real estate, community development, urban planning, finance, or related fields.

No prior professional real estate experience is required — we’re looking for curiosity, initiative, and a passion for making communities better. If you want to understand how affordable housing actually gets built, this is your opportunity.

HOW TO APPLY

Ready to Make an Impact?

To apply, please submit your resume and a cover letter stating your interest in this program.

Applications are due no later than May 1st and are reviewed on a rolling basis. For questions, contact BHC at recruiting@betterhousingcoalition.org