How to Write for Us

Freelance reporters

Shelterforce accepts pitches from freelance reporters who have experience covering housing, economic development, community development, neighborhood revitalization, community organizing, or related topics. If you’d like to pitch us a story or be considered for an assignment, email us at [email protected]. Please be aware that we might not always have the budget to accept a pitch if it doesn’t fit within our upcoming themes.

We are particularly interested in:

  • Articles that explore homelessness, and issues related to aging and housing.
  • Articles that delve into the intersection of health and community development
  • Articles that take a closer look at the intersection of arts and community development
  • New Jersey centric articles where there are lessons applicable beyond the Garden State.

Do you work in the field?

We invite submissions from people who work in the community development and housing fields, including from academics, policymakers, and funders. These pieces are often op-ed and From the Field submissions. We are interested in original pieces that:

  • Contribute something interesting and engaging to the work of the field.
  • Tells an interesting story about your work that has implications or raises questions for the field—be specific.
  • Draws on your experience in the field to make a compelling argument about a policy, program, approach, or trend, whether for or against.
  • Is provocative and challenging, making readers think.
  • Is honest and vulnerable.
  • Is useful, providing concrete ideas or steps or suggestions that are not clichéd or common knowledge, or giving insight into a policy or regulation that will have an effect on the broader field.

We are not interested in:

  • Self-promotional pieces (e.g. “We released a new report!” “We opened a new building!” “We’re having a conference!” or “My business can help you with tax credit apps!”). Sometimes some of those things will be relevant to a larger, interesting point you want to make, but it should be secondary.
  • Pieces that reinforce very basic points like “we need more affordable housing” or “poverty isn’t the poor’s fault” or your organization’s basic mission statement without some new insight.
  • Pieces that try to take on too much at once. Pick one or two points at most. If you have a lot of opinions, break them into separate pieces.
  • Pieces on luxury housing or house buying tips (looking at you, PR firms).

To submit an op-ed or From the Field article, email [email protected]. Also include a short description of your organization and/or experience related to the article’s subject matter.

AI Policy

Shelterforce allows limited use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Allowed Uses

  • AI tools can be used to help identify potential sources, documents, or other related information. AI tools can also be used to analyze data. However, the information provided by AI tools must be vetted and verified by the writer before submission, and the original source must be cited.
  • AI tools can be used to generate transcripts of recorded interviews. Any quotes used from those transcripts must be compared to the original audio and verified by the writer.

Prohibited Uses

  • AI tools must not be used to automatically generate an article, op-eds, or other submissions. Shelterforce only publishes original content.
  • AI tools must not be used to rewrite, edit, or alter an article, op-ed, or submission. We have professional editors who can help you get your point across.
  • AI tools must not replace original reporting.

Payment

We only pay freelance reporters to whom we have assigned stories or accepted pitches that involve original reporting and research for us.