Affordable housing is not a novel issue in our communities or in our coverage. But it’s a pressing one.

“It’s not like unaffordable housing is a new problem,” said my colleague, Jon Greenberg, who recently spent some time talking to reporters about how to cover housing stories that meet the moment. “What’s new is that it’s getting worse. I wanted to hear from people who have been in the trenches covering this and distill a handful of eminently practical ideas to produce good stories without breaking the bank.”

His piece offers just that: “12 tips to amp up your housing coverage.” It includes ideas for emerging angles, homelessness and some reminders about simple approaches that still work. 

“When half the public says the cost of housing is a major source of stress in their lives, any angle you take is going to connect with some part of your audience,” Greenberg said. “They are struggling with this, and you can be there with them in your coverage.” 

You can read the full piece here. 

While you’re here:

• Here’s something uplifting from Josh Benton at Nieman Lab: “These public radio stations have built online audiences that’ll help them survive federal cuts.”

• From Ben Mullin at The New York Times, read about “The race to help PBS and NPR stations.”

• And from Neel Dhanesha at Nieman Lab, learn “How tribal radio stations are preparing for a future without the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.”

• In CJR’s “laurels and darts” feature, I read about the digital Kerr County Lead’s 40-page print section devoted to sharing obituaries of the people lost in the devastating July flooding in Texas. 

• Check out this report from GLAAD that looks at coverage of transgender people from seven Georgia news outlets. 

• Dr. Kathleen Searles at the University of South Carolina is looking for five to 10 journalists to share their recent experiences with expert sources who are researchers or academics. Fill out this brief form to indicate your interest by Aug. 29.

• Finally, I’m curious if you’ll be watching “The Paper,” from the makers of  “The Office”? I’d rather a “Real Housewives of” kind of take, but that’s just me. 

That’s it for me. My kids started school last week and my puppy and I a. miss them and b. are happy to see them up before noon again. 😜

Kristen