Editorial Standards

Sources & Data Policy

How We Source Information and Use Public Data

Published: March 2026 Last Updated: March 2026

Raleigh Rebuild Lyceum is committed to source transparency. This document explains how we select sources, use public data, and maintain data integrity across our content.

Source Preferences

We prioritize official, verifiable, and primary sources. Our source hierarchy, in order of preference:

Official Government Sources

City, county, state, and federal government agencies, departments, and official publications. This includes city planning documents, county housing reports, state housing agency data, and federal Census and HUD information.

Academic and Research Institutions

Peer-reviewed research, university studies, and institutional research centers focusing on housing, urban planning, and community development.

Primary Source Documentation

Original documents, direct reporting, official program materials, and first-hand public records rather than secondary summaries or interpretations.

Public Datasets

Verified public datasets including Census Bureau data, HUD user reports, state housing finance agency statistics, and other publicly available data collections.

Types of Information We Use

Strategic Plans

City and county comprehensive plans, housing plans, and strategic development documents

Annual Reports

Housing authority annual reports, community development reports, and public agency performance documents

Agency Documents

Public housing authority documentation, housing finance agency publications, and program guidelines

Direct-Source References

Original research, program documentation, and primary source materials rather than secondary interpretations

What We Do Not Use

We maintain strict standards to protect the integrity of our content:

  • Rumor or unsourced claims: We do not include information that cannot be verified through official or primary sources
  • Anonymous sources without corroboration: Anonymous quotes or claims require independent verification through documented sources
  • Commercial marketing materials: We do not rely on real estate marketing, developer promotional content, or commercial advertising as primary sources
  • Social media as primary source: While social media may provide context, we do not use it as a primary source for factual claims

Data Verification and Interpretation

We distinguish clearly between:

Verified Data

Numbers, statistics, and facts drawn directly from official sources. These are presented with clear attribution to the original source.

Interpretation

Analysis and contextualization of data. When we interpret information, we clearly label it as such and explain our reasoning.

When Data Conflicts

When official sources present conflicting data, we note the discrepancy, explain the different methodologies or definitions that may cause the conflict, and prefer the most recent, most directly relevant, and most methodologically rigorous source.

Submitting Sources or Data

If you are aware of public data, official documents, or research that would improve our content, we welcome your input:

Use our source submission form or contact us with:

  • The source or dataset you are suggesting
  • Where it can be accessed (URL, publication, agency name)
  • Which content area or topic it relates to

External Links Policy

Our content may include links to external resources. Important notes:

  • External links do not imply endorsement or editorial control over linked content
  • We link primarily to official government sources, academic institutions, and established public-interest organizations
  • Linked content may change or be removed; we cannot guarantee the continued availability of external links