FCC, HUD partner to promote internet access for low-income communities
Marcia L Fudge of US Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Federal Communications Commission and US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced partnership to promote awareness of Affordable Connectivity Programme (ACP) among federal housing assistance recipients. HUD secretary Marcia L. Fudge announced partnership while engaging with community members and touring a recently built computer lab at Yesler Terrace in Seattle,Washington. The partnership agreement reflects HUD’s commitment to increase outreach activities, alongside work both agencies are doing to decrease time it takes for recipients of HUD assistance to sign up for programme. The partnership monitors work that commission is doing to coordinate with other federal agencies to ensure that low-income households participating in eligible federal assistance programmmes are provided information about ACP, including how to enroll in programme. Starting this week, FCC and HUD will partner on ACP outreach targeted toward recipients of HUD assistance.
“I am pleased to partner with the Federal Communications Commission to close the digital divide and to spread the word about the Affordable Connectivity Programme. All recipients of HUD assistance are eligible to receive free or reduced cost internet through the Affordable Connectivity Programme. I personally encourage you to sign up. We are deeply committed to ensuring families and their children have the necessary resources to thrive, and this partnership makes it clear that eligible HUD households can get the financial help they need to equitably access broadband resources.” says HUD secretary Marcia L. Fudge.
Under the secretary’s guidance, HUD has taken action to increase enrollment of HUD residents in Affordable Connectivity Programme. HUD clarified that receiving benefits through ACP will not impact amount of rent that HUD assisted tenants pay. The Department is streamlining the process of enrolling in ACP through data sharing agreements that enable voucher holders and public housing residents to enroll with reduced paperwork, and soon will enable residents of Multifamily properties participating in project based rental assistance residents to do the same. HUD’s field offices have been holding regional enrollment events across country and will soon be doing so with FCC sign up stations.
Since its inception, FCC staff has engaged in raising awareness of ACP among households participating in qualifying governmental assistance programmes, including creation of Your Home, Your Internet pilot outreach programme. FCC coordination with HUD is a valuable component of ACP outreach efforts because HUD oversees qualifying federal housing assistance programmes.
“This agreement builds on our ongoing and tireless efforts to broaden awareness of an essential cost-saving programme that can bring connectivity to families on the wrong side of the digital divide. I appreciate Secretary Fudge and our government partners for joining with us in getting the word out to consumers receiving federal housing assistance so they can learn about the ACP, and if they are eligible, to sign up and get connected.” says FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.
“As we’ve seen with the Your Home, Your Internet programme, there is a particular nexus between housing and connectivity: if we can help a family secure housing, we should be able to help them secure an internet connection as well. With better coordination between HUD and the FCC, we will get closer to ensuring that the millions of eligible households receiving federal housing assistance have the opportunity to enroll in ACP and get connected.” says FCC commissioner Geoffrey Starks.
With the partnership in place, FCC and HUD will work together to increase awareness of ACP among HUD-assisted households through:
• Outreach and enrollment events at public housing, in properties participating in HUD’s multifamily project-based rental assistance programmes, and with important partners.
• Regular coordination meetings to review work on ACP outreach intended to target HUD-assisted households including through a series joint in person enrollment events around country.
• Collaboration on ACP outreach and education efforts, including development of messaging and targeting intended audiences.
More than 20 million households have enrolled in Affordable Connectivity Programme. The programme provides a monthly discount of up to $30 (€27.92) per month towards internet service for eligible households and up to $75 (€69.81) per month for households on qualifying tribal lands. Eligible households participating in ACP can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 (€93.20) to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 (€9.31) and less than $50 (€46.60) toward the purchase price.
For more information visit here.
Comment on this article below or via Twitter @IoTGN