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.

Feds encourage public housing authorities to impose work rules, time limits
Stateline

Feds encourage public housing authorities to impose work rules, time limits

Jun 30, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Dozens of public housing authorities, tribes, property owners and community groups have joined a new coalition organized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to promote work requirements and time limits for people who receive federal housing help...
2 years after Grants Pass, 14 states, 350 cities have tougher laws on street homelessness
Stateline

2 years after Grants Pass, 14 states, 350 cities have tougher laws on street homelessness

Jun 25, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
Two years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Grants Pass v. Johnson decision — which allowed governments to enforce public camping bans without violating the Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment — more than 350 cities and 14 states...
States ease child labor laws ahead of summer hiring season
Stateline

States ease child labor laws ahead of summer hiring season

Jun 22, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
For some teenagers across the country, the summer is the first opportunity to gain work experience for their nascent resume. In a handful of states, however, teens who find jobs will find fewer protections under child labor laws. Four states...
States are changing fire codes to make housing cheaper. Some safety experts are worried.
Stateline

States are changing fire codes to make housing cheaper. Some safety experts are worried.

Jun 22, 2026
Robbie Sequeira
States and cities are loosening building code requirements in an effort to lower construction costs and boost affordable housing. Some of these changes include allowing low-rise apartment buildings to have just one stairway, reducing how often building codes are updated...
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

Jun 10, 2026
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
Stateline

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...