In a recent Federal Register notice, HUD announced the expansion and restructuring of ConnectHomeUSA (CHUSA) in order to to further their commitment to advancing digital opportunities and closing the digital divide in public, Indian, and now, Multifamily housing communities. CHUSA seeks to serve 50-100 new communities from urban and rural and Tribal locations while also continuing to support existing CHUSA communities. New communities can apply to join as Tier 1 communities and existing CHUSA communities can apply to join as Tier 2, or more advanced communities.
From the New Haven Register:
The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on a digital divide in New Haven, but the divide existed before then — and it continues to exist. Now, New Haven will provide more tools to help close that divide with a $250,000 federal grant.
From AARP:
Most of the older residents of Hudson Gardens, a housing complex in Jersey City, New Jersey, are digitally disconnected. So, when the Jersey City Housing Authority received a 2022 AARP Community Challenge grant to address this digital divide, just getting the word out to the residents was a challenge.
From Broadband Communities Magazine:
Comcast awarded $50,000 today to The Literacy Alliance of Fort Wayne to advance economic opportunity through digital literacy and broadband adoption. The company also announced a donation of 250 laptops to the Fort Wayne Housing Authority, Fort Wayne Boys and Girls Club, St. Joseph Mission, Fort Wayne Urban League, and The Literacy Alliance of Fort Wayne.
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From the San Antonio Report:
When Wi-Fi routers are installed and activated at Mission Park and Riverside Apartments, 24,276 residents who live in public housing projects will have free access to the internet, according to officials.
Opportunity Home San Antonio has developed about 100 affordable housing properties across the city. Of the properties it manages, most will have free Wi-Fi.
From Opportunity Home San Antonio's website:
Individuals who reside at public housing or mixed-income communities in the organization’s portfolio have the ability to connect to broadband internet at no cost.
Currently, 72 of 74 Opportunity Home communities have been connected. Broadband installation at Mission Park and Riverside Apartments is pending due to logistics. Once the project is completed, 24,276 Opportunity Home residents will have the potential to connect any device to the internet.
From KSAT 12 San Antonio:
Opportunity Home San Antonio, formally known as the San Antonio Housing Authority, has been working on Wi-Fi connectivity for its residents since 2013.
In 2020, when the pandemic hit, Opportunity Home approved a $4 million plan to help give the families who live on its properties free Wi-Fi. Now that it is in full effect, the initiative has evolved to help with digital literacy and device distribution.
