About CDLI
Community Development Long Island (CDLI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to affordable housing and strengthening communities across Long Island. Since 1969, CDLI has supported individuals and families through housing solutions, financial resources, and community development initiatives that promote stable and equitable neighborhoods.

About the Internship Program
 CDLI’s Summer Internship Program offers a 10-week, project-based experience for students interested in making a meaningful impact in housing, community development, and social equity. Each intern will be assigned a defined project within their department, providing the opportunity to contribute tangible work and present outcomes at the end of the program.

Internship opportunities are available across several departments, allowing participants to explore different career paths within a mission-driven organization.

Program Details

• Duration: 10 weeks (June 9 – August 14) 
• Schedule: Approximately 25 hours per week 
• Compensation: $22 per hour 
• Work Format: Primarily in-person with some hybrid positions available 

Internship Opportunities & Projects

People & Culture
Project: Onboarding Experience Enhancement
Goal: Improve the onboarding experience to ensure new hires feel prepared, engaged, and productive from day one. 

• Review and map the current onboarding process
• Gather feedback from recent hires and supervisors, Identify gaps and opportunities for improvement
• Research best practices and recommend enhancements
• Develop or update onboarding materials and tools

Final Deliverable: A comprehensive onboarding improvement plan, including updated materials and recommendations for implementation 

Housing Development & Planning (Zoning Atlas)
Project: Zoning Atlas Data & Policy Research
Goal: Support the accuracy and expansion of the Long Island Zoning Atlas through municipal outreach and policy research.

• Contact municipalities to update zoning data 
• Collect and analyze zoning and land use information 
• Research housing-related legislation at all levels 
• Track trends and key insights in housing policy 
• Shadow CDLI’s real estate team across development and property management

Final Deliverable: Updated zoning data contributions, policy insights summary, and presentation of findings 

Resident Services (Making Moves Program)
Project: School District Resource Mapping
Goal: Develop accessible, high-quality school district profiles to support informed housing decisions.

• Research district websites and public data 
• Conduct outreach to school districts (calls/visits) 
• Gather feedback from participating families 
• Compile data on programs, transportation, climate, and more

Final Deliverable: Completed School District Information Forms (PRRAC template) with detailed district profiles 

Home Ownership Center
Project: Outreach & Engagement Strategy for Garvies Point
Goal: Strengthen outreach and increase qualified applicants for an affordable homeownership opportunity.

• Identify and research target audiences (up to 100% AMI) 
• Build outreach and referral partner lists 
• Track community events and engagement opportunities 
• Support development of outreach materials 
• Assist with coordination of stakeholder engagement

Final Deliverable: Outreach strategy, targeted contact lists, and summary of engagement efforts 

Rental Assistance
Project: Educational Video Resource Development
Goal: Improve accessibility and understanding through short, engaging instructional videos.

• Identify key topics for participants, landlords, and staff 
• Review current materials and identify gaps 
• Script and produce brief (≤3 minutes) instructional videos 
• Ensure content is clear, accurate, and user-friendly

Final Deliverable: A series of short educational videos with supporting documentation 

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on, project-based experience in a mission-driven organization 
• Exposure to housing programs, policy, and community development work 
• Mentorship from experienced professionals 
• Opportunities to build your professional network 
• Development of key skills including communication, collaboration, and problem-solving 

Who We’re Looking For
 We’re seeking candidates who are:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (or recent graduates) 
• Pursuing or interested in fields such as urban planning, human resources, community development, marketing, digital content creation, or related areas 
• Passionate about housing equity and community impact 
• Strong communicators with attention to detail 
• Self-motivated, reliable, and collaborative 

How to Apply
 Please submit:

• Resume 
• Brief cover letter indicating your area(s) of interest and alignment with CDLI’s mission