Author: Robin Lovelace

Robin Lovelace, Affordable Housing Online's Housing Policy Specialist, is a retired Housing Choice Voucher Policy Analyst. She worked for 17 years in various roles for housing authorities in the State of Indiana. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, Robin also writes fiction and has been published in various literary magazines. Her latest novella, Savonne, Not Vonny, won the 2019 Etchings Press Prize and in October of 2021, her short story Uncle, won the Marguerite McGlinn Prize for fiction.

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

Q: If I’m homeless, can I still get a government stimulus check?

By Robin Lovelace on July 2nd, 2021

Tagged As: Housing Expert Tips

Every day, the Affordable Housing Online team gets questions about housing, and other matters. Our Ask A Housing Expert series highlights topics that are important to low-income renters. Today’s answer is from Housing Policy Specialist Robin Lovelace. Robin has 23 years of experience as a housing authority administrator in Indiana. Our team got a question from Eve … Continue reading Q: If I’m homeless, can I still get a government stimulus check?

Housing News - Affordable Housing Online

How to get your Advance Child Tax Credit

By Robin Lovelace on June 29th, 2021

Tagged As: Housing Expert Tips

What is the Advance Child Tax Credit? The Child Tax Credit (CTC) started in 1997 and was intended to help families afford the expense of raising children. In the past, this was done by allowing parents and caregivers to subtract a tax credit from their income taxes. The only families eligible were those who made … Continue reading How to get your Advance Child Tax Credit

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Q: How can I make suggestions to improve my community?

By Robin Lovelace on June 18th, 2021

Tagged As: Housing Expert Tips

Every day, the Affordable Housing Online team gets questions about important affordable housing issues. Our Ask A Housing Expert blog highlights a question that can help a great number of low-income renters. Today’s blog is from Housing Policy Specialist Robin Lovelace. Robin has 23 years of experience as a housing authority administrator in Indiana. Since … Continue reading Q: How can I make suggestions to improve my community?

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How to apply for the open New York City Section 8 waiting list

By Robin Lovelace on May 17th, 2021

Tagged As: Affordable Housing News, Vouchers, Waiting List Openings

If you have been waiting for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list to open for New York City, NY, then wait no longer. The New York State Homes and Community Renewal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list opened for applications today, May 17, 2021, and will stay open until May 28, … Continue reading How to apply for the open New York City Section 8 waiting list

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Still waiting on your stimulus check? File your taxes

By Robin Lovelace on May 11th, 2021

Tagged As: Editorials

The easiest way to claim any of the Economic Impact Payments sent to Americans during the coronavirus pandemic is to file your 2020 federal taxes. The deadline to file your 2020 federal taxes was moved to May 17th this year, so you still have time. You don’t want to miss out. The three separate payments … Continue reading Still waiting on your stimulus check? File your taxes

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American Rescue Plan benefits go beyond checks and unemployment extensions

By Robin Lovelace on March 26th, 2021

Tagged As: Uncategorized

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

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Coronavirus Scams and How to Avoid Them

By Robin Lovelace on February 25th, 2021

Tagged As: Housing Expert Tips

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

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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

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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