Sign in

Josh Cohen

@jcohenwrites.bsky.social
2.8K followers 340 following 396 posts

Housing reporter at Shelterforce Magazine @shelterforce.bsky.social, covering the YIMBY movement, housing policy, and more. Former Seattle city reporter at Cascade PBS. Freelancer for a bunch of others.

PostsRepliesMedia
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 10h
"By enlisting the Sweden-based tech company Minut to track tenants’ behavior ... [CHRA] has amassed data detailed enough, the lawsuit suggests, to potentially reveal even when residents at subsidized housing complexes engaged in sexual activity." shelterforce.org/2026/10/07/p...
shelterforce.org
Public Housing Tenants Sue Over Use of Invasive Monitoring Devices  — Shelterforce
Public housing authorities are using tech to enforce smoke bans and noise rules—but a lawsuit claims it is tracking tenants' movements.
020
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 10h
Public housing authorities are installing innocuous-looking, but invasive surveillance devices. New Hampshire ACLU sued: shelterforce.org/2026/10/07/p...
shelterforce.org
Public Housing Tenants Sue Over Use of Invasive Monitoring Devices  — Shelterforce
Public housing authorities are using tech to enforce smoke bans and noise rules—but a lawsuit claims it is tracking tenants' movements.
111
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
The Washington PDC website is good, actually.
screenshot of rhode island campaign finance website that looks like it hasn't been updated since 2003
040
Reposted by Josh Cohen
RANGE Media @rangemedia.co · 02/10/2026
How Rob Curley’s plan to make the Spokesman-Review ‘The People’s Paper’ ended in a newsroom revolt: Newsroom staffers tell @investigatewest.bsky.social and RANGE concerns about Curley’s leadership festered until his August suspension — weeks before the paper was set to transfer to his nonprofit.
rangemedia.co
How Rob Curley’s plan to make the Spokesman-Review ‘The People’s Paper’ ended in a newsroom revolt
Newsroom staffers tell InvestigateWest and RANGE that concerns about Curley’s leadership festered until his August suspension — weeks before the paper was set to transfer to his nonprofit
33721
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
If you, like me, want your news produced by humans, sign their petition and remind management which side subscribers and readers are on. actionnetwork.org/petitions/save-seattle-journalism-fair-wages-and-ai-protections-now
actionnetwork.org
Save Seattle journalism — fair wages and AI protections now!
The economy is unpredictable, the cost of living is soaring, the political landscape jolts wildly on a daily basis. This is not news to anyone who reads The Seattle Times. And yet, the members of The ...
000
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
I met Lee, a Seattle Times copy editor, at the farmers market this eve getting the word out about the union's contract fight. Lee is worried about AI and upset that management won't agree to basic jobs protections. actionnetwork.org/petitions/save-seattle-journalism-fair-wages-and-ai-protections-now
actionnetwork.org
Save Seattle journalism — fair wages and AI protections now!
The economy is unpredictable, the cost of living is soaring, the political landscape jolts wildly on a daily basis. This is not news to anyone who reads The Seattle Times. And yet, the members of The ...
161
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
This is really fascinating. In Portland, the gap between the cost of renting in subsidized, income-restricted housing and market rate apartments has basically disappeared. www.wsj.com/real-estate/...
wsj.com
Portland Real Estate Is Such a Mess That All Housing Is Affordable Housing
Rarely has the Oregon city seen such a narrow price gap between market-rate and affordable units.
240
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
From their solicitation for donations:
Screenshot reading "Washington's 501c4 structure protects the privacy of businesses and individuals historically punished for backing fiscally responsible causes."
1103
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I missed yesterday that Sara Nelson's AI-generated news site is linked to a new "moderate" political group that's incorporating as a 501(c)4 explicitly because donors can be anonymous. Not my beat anymore, but the 2027 Council races are going to be something ... seafor.live#support
seafor.live
SeaFor · Seattle, wake up. Time for a long-term fix.
Seattle, wake up. Time for a long-term fix. SeaFor is the civic infrastructure for the pragmatic center.
2287
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Shelterforce @shelterforce.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
HUD floated a major reorganization plan—and then pulled it within hours. The proposal would have centralized key public housing, voucher, fair housing, legal, and grant functions. What could that mean for the department’s operations, and could the plan return? Read more: buff.ly/zVsrOW8 #HUD
buff.ly
HUD Floated Then Pulled a Reorganization Plan. Will It Return? — Shelterforce
On Sept. 4, HUD—which had 35 percent of its staff slashed last year—proposed and then backed away from centralizing major functions.
031
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
These folks are entering a really tough job market. Chip in what you can and help keep them afloat. The longer they can afford living expenses, the likelier it is they'll be able to stay in the journalism industry.
010
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Alexandra (Alex) Duggan @alexdugganreports.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
You can donate here to help the journalists McClatchy laid off from the Idaho Statesman as they look for new jobs: gofund.me/2c98f5247
gofund.me
Donate to Help Idaho Statesman staff pay bills after McClatchy layoffs, organized by Sally Krutzig
Note: If you'd prefer to donate through Venmo, you can find u… Sally Krutzig needs your support for Help Idaho Statesman staff pay bills after McClatchy layoffs
0105
Reposted by Josh Cohen
The NewsGuild-CWA @newsguild.org · 11/09/2026
Yesterday, McClatchy laid off more than 90 unionized media workers across 17 publications. The departure of these talented reporters, visual journalists & writers will immediately leave gaping holes in local coverage for dozens of communities across the US.
35945
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This is horrendous. I'm sorry to the journalists out of a job in a dreadful media market, sorry to the ones left behind to do more with even less at already emaciated publications, and sorry to the readers and public who will now get even less of the reporting they need.
0367
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
As a subscriber I absolutely don't want a future where newsroom photographers, copy editors and other talented workers are replaced by AI shortcuts and slop actionnetwork.org/petitions/sa....
082
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Thanks, Megan! I'm quite happy about it
010
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Thanks, Tiffani!
000
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Thanks, Guy!
010
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Thanks, Casey!
010
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
❤️❤️
010
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I freelanced regularly for Shelterforce before my second stint at Crosscut and in addition to reporting some stories I really value, the experience bolstered my belief that housing justice is one of the most critical issues of our lifetime. I’m looking forward to get back to it in a few weeks!
080
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Shelterforce Magazine isn’t necessarily a household name, but they’ve been in operation for more than 50 years doing essential reporting on the affordable housing industry, federal housing policy, tenants rights and more with a good blend of solutions and accountability journalism.
170
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
I am thrilled to say that I'll be joining the @shelterforce.bsky.social staff in September as a full time reporter. The core of my beat will be following the YIMBY movement/supply side housing policy around the country, with plenty of other housing stories in the mix.
12532
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
On the job tonight for @washingtonstatestandard.com contributing to their live blog. I’ll be in Bellevue checking out the WA Dems party for Congressional incumbents Adam Smith, Suzan DelBene, and Kim Schrier washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/08/04/l...
washingtonstatestandard.com
Live coverage: Washington's 2026 primary election • Washington State Standard
Washington's primary election has arrived. The top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the November election regardless of party.
02710
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Schrodinger's police chief job
0253
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Sydney Brownstone @sydbrownstone.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
The Skagit Valley Herald, Anacortes American, and Stanwood Camano News are on strike to fight for better wages and AI protections. Here’s their strike fund: www.gofundme.com/f/help-keep-...
gofundme.com
Donate to Help keep AI out of your newsrooms, organized by Skagit News Workers
We need your help to keep your news local, trustworthy, and accurate – that … Skagit News Workers needs your support for Help keep AI out of your newsrooms
1229
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Jacob Jones @jonesdaily.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
How a data leak unmasked an Idaho state employee raising thousands of dollars a month in subscriptions by anonymously promoting pro-Russian commentary, white nationalists and Nazi memes. My new story for @investigatewest.bsky.social: www.investigatewest.org/idaho-labor-...
investigatewest.org
Idaho labor economist ran far-right online accounts
Sam Wolkenhauer ran anonymous accounts that generated thousands of dollars in subscriptions while posting pro-Russian commentary, slurs and Nazi imagery
01815
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
The text alert said trains were delayed due to a vehicle on the tracks at Mount Baker Station, but I just assumed it was *near* the station on MLK. Not two stories off the ground!
2142
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
I won a @spjwash.bsky.social award for my story on trans Seattleites grappling with changing federal passport rules. It's nice to get recognized for a piece I'm proud of, especially amid the discouragement of post-layoff job hunting in our decimated industry. www.cascadepbs.org/politics/202...
screenshot of SPJ awards announcements showing I won first place in the LGBTQ+ equity reporting category
1356
Reposted by Josh Cohen
ID & WA News Guilds @idwanewsguilds.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Don’t cross the picket line today, Tuesday, May 26! Join us by refusing to click any articles or interacting in any way with our five McClatchy newspapers.
26850
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Chase 'Hutch' Hutchinson 📽️ @eclectichutch.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Beautiful day to stand in solidarity with the journalists of @pacnwguild.bsky.social at The (Tacoma) News Tribune, The Bellingham Herald, The Olympian, The Tri-City Herald, & the Kdaho Statesman as they fight against AI slop and for living wages. Support their strike fund here: gofund.me/49457c575
A photo taken on April 30, 2026 in downtown Tacoma, WA as journalists dressed in red holding signs that say "FAIR CONTRACT NOW" gather at a market to picket in support of their fight against AI slop and living wages.
3149
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
I was impressed (and, as a writer, sort of intimidated) by how much Madrigal packed in without the narrative grinding to a halt or feeling stodgy. I think it’s a must read for anyone who’s spent time in and cares about the Bay. But also should appeal to anyone interested in understanding cities.
040
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
I’ve read a lot of city books and Alexis Madrigal’s The Pacific Circuit is among the best. It’s centered on Oakland’s Port and the neighboring Black residents who’ve suffered its polluting impact. But it’s also an engaging history of global shipping, racist land use, tech, city politics & the Bay.
The bright red cover of Alexis madrigal’s book The Pacific Circuit featuring interlocked multi color shipping containers stacked in a tower.
140
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Congrats! First contracts are a huge undertaking.
020
Reposted by Josh Cohen
ProPublica Guild @propublicaguild.org · 08/04/2026
We’re on strike today! Support our fight for a fair contract by NOT visiting the @propublica.org website or engaging with ProPublica stories today. Tell ProPublica’s management you won’t cross the picket line: actionnetwork.org/petitions/te...
We're on strike! Don't visit propublica.org on April 8
6349162893
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
So much broke when they moved to a new CMS/website design last year. It is a very big bummer. The stories should still exist in the backend but the pages need to be fixed.
1102
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Radley Balko @radleybalko.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
ICE has arrested and detained a Nashville journalist who reported stories critical of ICE. She’s married to a U.S. citizen and has been seeking asylum here after fleeing death threats in Colombia because of her journalism there. They’ve already sent her to Louisiana.
nashvillebanner.com
ICE detains reporter Estefany Rodríguez in Nashville - Nashville Banner
Reporter Estefany Rodríguez, detained by ICE with no arrest warrant, may face deportation. Her attorneys seek immediate review of the legality of her case.
294123527399
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
Investigate West is doing some of the best accountability reporting in Washington and absolutely deserves your support
060
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Another grim example of AI's "utility"
051
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
We love to see it
030
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
The list of things we need to fix in society is long, but eventually we gotta address the celebrities in commercials problem
180
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Melissa Santos @melissajsantos.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
By passing a ban on income taxes two years ago, Washington state lawmakers actually guaranteed their ability to consider an income tax on millionaires this session. www.axios.com/local/seattl... #waleg
axios.com
Why Washington's income tax ban won't block a millionaire tax
A new proposal is testing how durable Washington's income tax ban really is.
075
Reposted by Josh Cohen
The 51st @51st.news · 04/02/2026
6/ The Post has lost over 375,000 subscribers in just over a year. If 10% of those readers subscribed to The 51st instead, we could hire 10 reporters and five editors, dramatically scaling our coverage of the city at this critical time. 51st.news/signup
51st.news
Join The 51st
The 51st is a worker-led nonprofit news source for D.C. Our reporting is rooted in our conviction that local journalism is meant to make people’s lives better — no paywalls, ever. But that's only…
10575352
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Alex Ip 葉清霖 @alexip718.com · 04/02/2026
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
lizzie johnson
@lizziejohnsonnn
·
49m
I was just laid off by The Washington Post in the middle of a warzone. I have no words. I'm devastated.
Quote
lizzie johnson
@lizziejohnsonnn
·
Jan 25
Waking up without power, heat, or running water. (Again.) 

But the work here in Kyiv continues. Warming up in the car, writing in pencil — pen ink freezes — by headlamp.
20396974347
Josh Cohen @jcohenwrites.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Photojournalists across America preparing to apply to one of the only staff photo jobs available
The main character from the movie No Other Choice holding a huge flower pot above his head thinking about throwing it on his competition for a job
0131
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Alex Baumhardt @alexbaumhardt.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Just experienced the most intense tear gassing of my life by federal officers outside the ICE facility in Portland where marchers gathered. There was no fast exit as they indiscriminately threw loads of gas and flash bangs. Children were in the crowd screaming. @oregoncapitalchronicle.com
376125506107
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Alex Garland @alexgarland.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Thousands pack the streets of #Seattle in protest of #ICE
026072
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Alex Garland @alexgarland.bsky.social · 31/01/2026
Thousands in #Seattle march in protest of #ICE
4473146
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Georgia Fort, an independent journalist and vice president of the Minnesota NABJ chapter, was also arrested by federal agents this morning I was sent this video of agents at her door:
646133357098
Reposted by Josh Cohen
Jeong Park @jeongpark.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
Federal immigration agents detained a man in Shoreline, leaving his 2-year-old son sitting alone in the back seat for about 40 minutes. Here's what the activists saw: www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Climbing into the car felt too personal. Like walking into a person’s bedroom, Shoreline resident Chris Megargee said.

The detritus of fatherhood was everywhere: scattered toys and a neatly packed bag of apple slices, crackers and a juice box on the passenger seat. On the floor was a bag of tamales Ivan Guzman, a local cook, had just bought for that day’s lunch, still warm.

“I’m a dad. It was the stuff of family life. Of a dad,” Megargee, a local activist, said. “He should still be in the car.”

Megargee was tasked with driving Guzman’s car to his workplace after federal agents detained him about 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Guzman was driving his son to day care before work when four unmarked vehicles surrounded his car, blocking two lanes of Aurora Avenue near North 163rd Street. Masked and armed federal agents emerged and arrested Guzman.

They left his 2-year-old son sitting alone in the back seat for about 40 minutes, eyewitnesses said.

The arrest quickly drew concern from community members and passersby. Five days before, ICE agents detained a 5-year-old boy in Minnesota. A photo of him went viral, showing his scared eyes staring out under the brim of a blue, bunny-ear hat while an agent held onto the back of his Spiderman backpack.
23438