Intern Housing Planning Guide: What to Know for 2026

Intern housing isn’t just logistics—it’s leverage. When done right, it strengthens your brand, boosts intern satisfaction, and drives full-time conversion. When it’s rushed or fragmented, it creates costly chaos. 

Here’s how to set your program up for success. 

Key Intern Housing Planning Milestones 

• Aug–Sept 2025: Evaluate departing summer program & vendors KPI’s 

• Oct–Nov: Recruitment strategy and deployment internally 

• Dec–Jan: Program finalization and cost analysis  

• Feb–Mar: Finalize head count/Inventory planning 

• Mar: Offer letters/Contracts signed 

• Apr–May: Finalize logistics 

• June 2026: Interns move in, support goes live
  

Start early to secure better inventory and reduce stress. 

Housing Pitfalls to Avoid 

• Late planning = higher costs, fewer options 

• DIY = burnout for HR and recruiting teams 

• Stipends = subpar intern experiences 

• Multiple vendors = missed details, more admin 

• Ignoring expectations = hurt morale and FTE conversion 

What Interns Expect
Today’s interns expect more than a place to sleep: 

• Safe, private, turnkey housing 

• High-speed Wi-Fi, streaming, utilities 

• Easy commute or transit access 

• Clear communication and real-time support 

• A professional setup that reflects your brand 

What to Look for in an Intern Housing Partner 

• End-to-end management (sourcing to move-out) 

• Exclusive, reliable inventory (not public rentals) 

• Roommate matching, virtual/on-site move-in help 

• Maintenance SLAs and communication tools 

• Scalable, multi-city coordination 

• Post-stay reporting and intern satisfaction surveys 

Why Switchplace? 

Trusted by the #1 intern program in the U.S., Switchplace delivers: 

• One partner. One process. Zero chaos. 

• Exclusive housing + white-glove service 

• Scalable solutions across markets 

• Admin support and intern satisfaction, guaranteed 

👉 Download our full planning guide here to get started.