BridgeDetroit, Detroit Free Press reporter named to national fellowship

October 28, 2026

Nushrat Rahman, a reporter for BridgeDetroit and the Detroit Free Press, has been selected as one of three journalists nationwide for the 2027 Chauncey Bailey Fellowship awarded by Investigative Reporters and Editors. The yearlong fellowship will provide Rahman with specialized training, mentorship, and resources to investigate rental housing conditions in Detroit, a critical issue affecting residents facing housing affordability challenges, poverty, and homelessness. Rahman, a Detroit native who focuses on economic mobility and barriers facing low-income families, will receive training at an IRE Data Journalism Bootcamp, attend national conferences, and work with experienced investigative reporters.

Who is affected

Nushrat Rahman (fellowship recipient)
Detroit residents, particularly those struggling with housing affordability, poverty, and homelessness
Low-income families in Detroit facing barriers to financial stability
BridgeDetroit and Detroit Free Press newsrooms
The two other 2027 fellowship recipients: Daisy Zavala Magaña and Miguel Torres
Investigative Reporters and Editors organization

What action is being taken

Rahman is receiving specialized training, mentorship, and resources through the fellowship
Rahman is examining conditions in Detroit's rental housing market
Rahman covers economic mobility and barriers preventing low-income families from achieving financial stability
The fellowship is providing training at an IRE Data Journalism Bootcamp and access to national investigative journalism conferences

Why it matters

This fellowship is significant because it enables deeper investigation into Detroit's rental housing crisis, one of the city's most pressing challenges affecting vulnerable residents. The fellowship strengthens investigative journalism by supporting journalists of color and expanding diverse perspectives in the field, while honoring the legacy of Chauncey Bailey, a journalist killed while pursuing investigative work. It allows both BridgeDetroit and the Detroit Free Press to provide more comprehensive accountability journalism on housing issues that directly impact residents' access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

What's next

Rahman will receive training at an IRE Data Journalism Bootcamp
Rahman will attend national investigative journalism conferences
Rahman will work with a network of experienced investigative reporters throughout her yearlong project
Rahman will continue examining Detroit's rental conditions over the next year

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com