ConnectHome program
RFP Summary provided by the agency
An initiative with communities, the private sector, and federal government to expand high speed broadband to more families across the country. The pilot program launched in twenty-seven cities and one tribal nation and will initially reach over 275,000 low-income households – and nearly 200,000 children – with the support they need to access the Internet at home. Internet Service Providers, non-profits and the private sector will offer broadband access, technical training, digital literacy programs, and devices for residents in assisted housing units.
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/connect-home.html
https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/ConnectHome-Brief.pdf;
What is the mission and focus of the program: research, social, economic or others?
The initiative is bringing affordable broadband access, technical training, digital literacy programs, and electronic devices to thousands of low income households living in HUD-assisted housing. ConnectHome has launched in 28 communities across the United States, including metropolitan areas, cities, counties, and a tribal nation.
How do you submit to this opportunity?
CDBG funds can be used to finance the provision of broadband services such as infrastructure development, internet access, wiring, hardware and software purchases, development and construction of computer rooms, digital literacy classes/economic development, etc.). Acceptable eligible activity categories under Section 105(a) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (the Act) include:
- Public facilities and improvements (includes infrastructure and excludes buildings for the general conduct of government).
- Public services (education/training).
- Activities carried out through a private or public non-profit.
- Economic development assistance to a for-profit business.
Who are the target applicants: cities, universities, companies, small business, nonprofits, or others?
Internet Service Providers, non-profits and the private sector will offer broadband access, technical training, digital literacy programs, and devices for residents in assisted housing units.
Example project(s) summaries from past RFPs:
ConnectHome LA
The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) was selected to participate in President Barack Obama and Department of Housing and Urban Development’s ConnectHome pilot program. While HACLA has a broader focus to provide affordable Internet access to public housing communities across the city, under ConnectHome, HACLA will work to connect designated public housing households with K-12 students. These households will receive free computers and four years of Internet access.
By July 2016, 45% of current unconnected households in designated public housing communities with K-12 children should be connected.
http://home.hacla.org/connecthomela
(ii) Example project(s) summaries from past RFPs:
In Google Fiber markets (including the ConnectHome cities of Atlanta, Durham, Kansas City, and Nashville), Google Fiber will offer $0 monthly home Internet service to residents in select public housing authority properties and will partner with community organizations on computer labs and digital literacy programming to bridge the digital divide, especially for families with K-12 students.
In select communities of Choctaw Tribal Nation, Cherokee Communications, Pine Telephone, Suddenlink Communications, and Vyve Broadband will work together to ensure that over 425 of Choctaw’s public housing residents have access to low-cost, high-speed internet.
https://fiber.google.com/community/#/programs
(iii) Example project(s) summaries from past RFPs:
GitHub will provide $250,000 to support devices and digital literacy training to HUD residents in ConnectHome cities.
College Board, in partnership with Khan Academy, will offer students and families in HUD housing in all ConnectHome communities free, online SAT practice resources, and contribute $200,000 over three years to fund digital literacy and personalized college readiness and planning training in Cleveland, Los Angeles, New York, San Antonio, Washington, DC and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
80/20 Foundation will provide $100,000 to fund digital literacy training in San Antonio.
(iv) Example project(s) summaries from past RFPs:
The American Library Association will lead a collaboration with local libraries in all the ConnectHome communities to deliver tailored, on-site digital literacy programming and resources to public housing residents.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America will provide digital literacy training for HUD residents in ConnectHome communities that have a Boys & Girls Club, including in Durant, OK, part of Choctaw Tribal Nation.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University and the Durant Independent School District will provide digital literacy courses, for free, to HUD residents in Choctaw Tribal Nation.
