HomeLab NYC - Incite at Columbia University

Active Project

HomeLab NYC

  • Leadership Terry Parris Jr. Derek Kravitz
  • Timeframe 2024–2026
  • Participating Programs and Centers Incite Institute Toni Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism
  • Advisory Board Sheila Coronel Amy Starecheski
  • Researchers Lucy Tompkins
  • Contact homelab@columbia.edu

HomeLab is an interdisciplinary initiative that unites storytellers, artists, researchers, educators, students, and citizens in a collective exploration of the concept of "home"—how homes are created, kept, and lost within the complex landscape of New York City.

Set against the backdrop of the city's long-running housing crisis, HomeLab aims to humanize these experiences through rich narratives and community-centered research, elevating the stories of those most affected.

Woman outside store "Camellia Head Treatment & Beauty Salon"
For litigants who don’t speak English in NYC’s Housing Court, the lack of language support in court means they may suffer financial loss, emotional stress and, sometimes, the avoidable loss of their homes, Zirui Yang writes for Documented in June 2024.

This project encompasses a range of storytelling media—both physical and digital—including written narratives, live performances, and visual presentations, all centered on the lives of New Yorkers. By elevating the voices of impacted communities and embracing innovative methods in engagement, storytelling and education, HomeLab seeks to capture and preserve the stories of our homes.

With a strong emphasis on collaboration, HomeLab supports community and student storytellers, fosters interdisciplinary experiences and teaches collective storytelling and research techniques.

In 2024, Incite began a partnership with HomeLab. Over the next two years, Incite will contribute administrative and strategic resources toward supporting HomeLab’s daily operations and strategic expansion.

Get in touch

Illustration showing different types of housing.

If you have a home or housing-related project or idea, or if you're interested in helping to build this project, please contact us at homelab@columbia.edu. Accepted projects and partnerships may receive financial support. 

To stay up-to-date with HomeLab news, events and opportunities, sign up for our mailing list.

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Project Leadership

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    Terry Parris Jr. Co-editor tp2834@columbia.edu

    Terry Parris Jr. is an engagement journalist with over 15 years of experience working with newsrooms, libraries, universities, and community groups. He is currently the Public Square Editor for Headway at The New York Times. Previously, he was the Engagement Director at THE CITY, where he launched impactful community-driven projects like The Open Newsroom and MISSING THEM. He also served as a deputy editor at ProPublica and was part of a team that was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2017. Terry teaches at Queens College and advises students at Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism while pursuing a master's degree in Library and Information Science at Pratt Institute.

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    Derek Kravitz Co-editor d.kravitz@columbia.edu

    Derek Kravitz is an investigative and data journalist who has worked with various newsrooms and academic programs. He previously served as the investigations and data editor at MuckRock, was involved in projects through the Brown Institute for Media Innovation, and has held positions at ProPublica, The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, and The Washington Post. His work has received accolades from the George Polk Awards, the Online News Association, and others, and he has been part of three Pulitzer Prize finalist teams.

Related Works

  • open website

    Zirui Yang, "Chinese Tenants Are Stranded at NYC Housing Court Without Language Support", Documented, June 26, 2024

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