Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

American Rescue Plan benefits go beyond checks and unemployment extensions

By Robin Lovelace on March 26th, 2021

By now, everyone is aware of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan; a $1.9 trillion relief bill passed last month. In fact, most Americans have already received their Economic Impact Payments that were part of the plan. This bill contains other not so well known benefits for low-income renters. Below is a summary of a few … Continue reading American Rescue Plan benefits go beyond checks and unemployment extensions

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Coronavirus Scams and How to Avoid Them

By Robin Lovelace on February 25th, 2021

Tagged As: Ask A Housing Expert

Our latest Ask A Housing Expert blog is from Housing Policy Specialist Robin Lovelace. Robin has 23 years of experience as a housing authority administrator in Indiana. Since coronavirus hit the country, scammers and hackers have ramped up their volume of tricks and cons. It’s important to be aware of scams going on right now, … Continue reading Coronavirus Scams and How to Avoid Them

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

How housing authorities are communicating with low income households amid coronavirus

By Robin Lovelace on March 23rd, 2020

Tagged As: Coronavirus, Editorials

In normal times, it could be hard for an applicant, participant or an interested party to call and speak with a live person at a Public Housing Agency (PHA). Whether it’s by way of being transferred to the appropriate staffer, or carefully navigating an automated phone system, reaching a live person immediately was not always … Continue reading How housing authorities are communicating with low income households amid coronavirus

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

HUD’s New Initiative for Self-Sufficiency

By Robin Lovelace on March 9th, 2018

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News

On December 7th, 2017, HUD Secretary Ben Carson announced a new initiative called EnVision Centers. The goal of the EnVision Center initiative is to bring together programs and services for HUD assisted families to become self-sufficient and no longer need government assisted housing. When talking about the reason for the EnVision Center Demonstration initiative, Carson claims … Continue reading HUD’s New Initiative for Self-Sufficiency

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

How the Government Shutdown Affected Public Housing Authorities

By Robin Lovelace on January 22nd, 2018

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News

The federal government shutdown over the weekend caused many US federal offices to be closed today. However, the shutdown did not affect most participants the housing programs offered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). At the local level, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) should have been open and doing business as usual. … Continue reading How the Government Shutdown Affected Public Housing Authorities

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Section 8 Small Area Fair Market Rents Give Renters Opportunity

By Robin Lovelace on October 10th, 2017

Tagged As: Editorials

As a former Housing Choice Voucher caseworker, I’ve seen instances where families were awarded Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), but could not use them to rent in middle-class neighborhoods where schools are better, grocery stores are closer and the streets are safer for their children. Only on a few occasions do I recall seeing families … Continue reading Section 8 Small Area Fair Market Rents Give Renters Opportunity