Robbie Sequeira

Robbie Sequeira

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Robbie Sequeira is a staff writer covering housing and social services for Stateline. He's covered a variety of issues, from decisions in state and local government to the everyday lives of residents in Minnesota, Iowa, Georgia and his hometown, The Bronx. In his six-year career, Sequeira has earned awards for reporting on labor issues, homelessness and politics. A massive Yankee and reality TV show fan, Robbie is always eager to connect with those who have a tip or a story to share.

As AI use in schools grows, lawmakers and districts scramble to set up guardrails
Stateline

As AI use in schools grows, lawmakers and districts scramble to set up guardrails

5:00am ET
Robbie Sequeira
With many students and educators already using widely available artificial intelligence tools, state lawmakers and school districts are playing catch-up on AI policies. In Maryland, for example, AI usage policies for K-12 schools are “all over the map,” Democratic state...
Year-over-year homelessness declines
Stateline

Year-over-year homelessness declines

Jun 01, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
There were fewer homeless people in the United States on a single night in January 2025 than in January 2024, but homelessness increased in 28 states, according to the latest federal count. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development...
High-profile child deaths spark push for welfare agency transparency
Stateline

High-profile child deaths spark push for welfare agency transparency

Jun 01, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
After two 5-year-old Indianapolis girls separately died from abuse in the last two years, Indiana Republican state Rep. Julie McGuire said lawmakers could not get basic answers from the state agency responsible for the safety of children. Kinsleigh Welty had...
More cities are pressing pause on data centers as local backlash grows
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More cities are pressing pause on data centers as local backlash grows

May 28, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Hearing backlash from residents, cities and counties across the country in recent weeks have blocked planned data centers amid concerns over rising electricity prices and environmental harms. The local actions come as state lawmakers also are looking to limit or...
Private equity companies buy more apartment units
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Private equity companies buy more apartment units

May 21, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Private equity firms own nearly 3 million apartment units, about 13% of the total apartments across the country, according to a new analysis from watchdog group Private Equity Stakeholder Project. And most have been fairly recent purchases. The companies acquired...
From clergy to coaches, states debate who should report child abuse and neglect
Stateline

From clergy to coaches, states debate who should report child abuse and neglect

May 18, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Conversations with survivors of sexual abuse left Missouri state Sen. Tracy McCreery wondering what could have prevented the harm, leading her to sponsor a bill that would require clergy and religious workers to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Her...
Housing advocates expect homelessness numbers to fall slightly
Stateline

Housing advocates expect homelessness numbers to fall slightly

May 07, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s annual one-night count of those experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness is projected to show a decline after a record-high surge in 2024, according to a new report. Conducted during January, the Point-in-Time count is...
Trump administration proposes rolling back gender identity protections in federal housing
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Trump administration proposes rolling back gender identity protections in federal housing

Apr 28, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
A Trump administration proposal would end gender identity protections for people in federally funded housing and shelters. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development proposed rule would remove references to “gender” and “gender identity” from agency regulations and replace...
Emergency housing vouchers are ending early, leaving cities and renters scrambling
Stateline

Emergency housing vouchers are ending early, leaving cities and renters scrambling

Apr 27, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
A New York City mom and domestic violence survivor felt a flashback of fear when she received a notice in March that the emergency housing voucher she and her son have relied on since 2023 will run out soon. “It...
Evictions fell slightly in 2025, but some areas saw upticks, report finds
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Evictions fell slightly in 2025, but some areas saw upticks, report finds

Apr 20, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Eviction filings fell in 2025 for the second straight year in the cities and states tracked in a new report — areas home to roughly a third of the country’s renters — though some of those places saw increases. Landlords...
State lottery ticket sales nearly double to over $100B
Stateline

State lottery ticket sales nearly double to over $100B

Apr 09, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
State lotteries are bringing in more money than ever, but states are paying more in prize money and keeping slightly less of it themselves, according to a new U.S. Census Bureau analysis . State lottery ticket sales nationwide nearly doubled...
Drive for more housing sparks rare bipartisanship in statehouses
Stateline

Drive for more housing sparks rare bipartisanship in statehouses

Apr 07, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
In contrast to highly partisan debates over many other issues, state lawmakers of all political stripes are joining forces to pass legislation to increase the supply of housing. The policies attracting support range from requiring cities to allow manufactured homes...