Write an Op-Ed or Letter to the Editor

Submitting an opinion piece to your local or state press is a great way to bring attention to the impact of the Housing Credit in your community. Highlight the homes and the effect this program has had on factors like health and education outcomes, economic mobility for individuals and families, driving investment and other resources to underserved and marginalized communities, or even creating and retaining jobs. 

Editors do not publish every letter or op-ed they receive, but they do pay attention — especially if it is well-written and timely. A letter to the editor is typically very short, around 200 words, and is in response to an article the media outlet recently published. An op-ed is a longer opinion piece that provides information on a subject that would be of interest to the outlet’s readers. Therefore, it is important to demonstrate how the issue affects individuals locally. To find out how to submit a letter to the editor, call or email the outlet or look on its website. 

Be timely.

Target your topic to a local or national headline. Inflation, supply or labor shortages, rising interest rates, and the health of the economy are a few top national issues that could be used as a lead-in. Other opportunities include stories noting a lack of affordable rental housing that could be made possible by increasing resources for the Housing Credit. For example, if a story runs on the lack of affordable housing, that would be a good opportunity to discuss a property that received Housing Credit financing, or a location that might be a great opportunity for a Housing Credit building. If another story runs on soaring rent prices, you could write about how the Housing Credit can keep rents affordable and provide benefits to the overall community. 

Follow the rules.

Make sure to adhere to the outlet’s guidelines on length and style. Spell everything correctly and pay close attention to grammar — letters are not usually edited; rather, the outlets select well-written letters that meet their guidelines. Include your name and contact information, if requested. 

Be concise.

Include your main points in the first paragraph even if your media outlet’s length guidelines are greater than 200 words. Two to three points are ideal. 

Avoid jargon and acronyms.

Explain points in “plain English.” This makes the information more understandable and accessible to a wider audience. 

Email your letter to ensure timeliness. To do this, paste the text into the body of an email — DO NOT SEND AS AN ATTACHMENT, unless the outlet’s instructions explicitly say that this is the only method. Sending it electronically is generally the preferred way to receive letters. 

Lastly, be sure to copy us or forward your submission and we will have our communications experts follow up on placement. Remember, we are here and happy to help!