Planning Intern (CMHC Indigenous Youth Housing Internship Program)

Contact: careers@shs-inc.ca

Salary: This position offers a rate up to $25.00 per hour.

About Us

SHS Inc. is a Canadian consulting firm shaping housing solutions so every community can participate, belong, and thrive. Since 1999, we have partnered with governments, non-profits, and the private sector across Canada to ask tough questions, envision better futures, and bring real-world housing projects from concept to move-in.

We work through three core practice areas — Development, Innovation, and Policy — helping clients plan, build, manage, and evolve social purpose real estate; design new programs and organizational models; and shape data-grounded housing policy.

Our impact is broad and lasting: we have created housing for thousands, engaged tens of thousands of stakeholders, completed national-scale research and strategies, and supported dozens of communities across the country.

What sets SHS apart is how we do the work: we lead with human-centred design, bring together multidisciplinary expertise, build long-term collaborative partnerships, and ground every recommendation in evidence and impact.

Qualifications and Skills

This internship opportunity at SHS is being offered through the CMHC Indigenous Youth Housing Internship Program and is intended for Indigenous youth (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) who are 30 years of age and under.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate many of the following qualifications, skills, interests, and lived experiences:

• Indigenous youth (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) with an interest in exploring careers connected to housing, planning, community development, or public policy
• Currently pursuing or recently completed post-secondary studies in urban planning, geography, Indigenous studies, public policy, urban studies, social sciences, housing, or a related field — or equivalent lived, community, or work experience
• Interest in affordable housing, Indigenous housing, community development, land use planning, and improving housing outcomes for communities
• Interest in learning about housing policy, housing development processes, municipal planning, and local government housing strategies
• Curiosity about housing solutions that support equity-deserving, underserved, and marginalized communities, including Indigenous communities
• Strong research, communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to learn in a collaborative, mentorship-oriented environment and contribute to a team-based consulting setting
• Ability to manage tasks, take initiative, and adapt in a dynamic work environment
• Experience working with community organizations, student groups, volunteer initiatives, or Indigenous communities is considered an asset
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, mapping, research, or data analysis tools is considered an asset, but not required

Key Responsibilities

1. Planning Support

• Assist Senior Planners and Development Leads with day-to-day planning-related project work, including background research, highest and best use analysis, planning justification reports, planning applications, consultant and client coordination, and meeting preparation, including public and Council meetings.
• Support the administration of planning applications by organizing public and agency comments, compiling submission materials, and tracking application progress.
• Conduct site-specific research, including zoning reviews and the interpretation of municipal and provincial policies, legislation, and regulations.
• Provide preliminary input on site development potential, land use compatibility, and design direction based on research, planning principles, and the clients' project vision.
• Support policy projects by researching cross-jurisdictional policies, demographic trends, and best practices in urban planning.
• Review and summarize documents and studies, clearly communicating key takeaways and implications.

2. Data Analysis

• Identify the type of data needed to inform planning decisions and address client needs.
• Extract relevant insights from quantitative and qualitative datasets, applying foundational statistical and analytical concepts.
• Demonstrate an understanding of housing market trends and the broader housing policy landscape.
• Present data clearly using charts, tables, or visuals that support effective storytelling and decision-making.

3. Report Writing

• Assist in organizing research findings and data into coherent and structured reports.
• Help incorporate relevant literature and evidence to support project conclusions and recommendations.
• Contribute to building persuasive and well-supported arguments within written materials.
• Support the development of clear, accessible content that meets the needs of diverse audiences, including clients, stakeholders, and the public.