The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) is one of the leading housing authorities in the field of digital equity, offering several services to residents to improve digital inclusion. Eight years ago, HACA identified that their residents were missing out on the many online services and opportunities due to the digital divide – that is, the gap between those who have consistent access to modern information and communications networks, technology, and devices and those who do not.
On November 3, 2022, the Stanford Social Innovation Review released a new article as part of their Collaboration for Housing Justice Series. “Housing and Health: Creating Solutions with Communities” provides findings from the Kresge Foundation from their 31 grantees who are working in the intersection of housing, health, and community action. The authors' key recommendation for funders undertaking this work is to fund community-driven solutions and community power.
From the Seattle Housing Authority's press release:
From the Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino's newsletter:
From the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority's press release:
From WTAM Radio Cleveland:
A public-private partnership aimed at bringing digital equity to Cleveland has reached a significant milestone ahead of schedule: Connecting 1,000 households and approximately 2,200 Cleveland residents to low-cost, reliable broadband in MetroHealth’s footprint.
From the Boston Herald:
Boston housing officials and city-based nonprofit Economic Mobility Pathways are seeking more participants for a mentoring program aimed at helping low-income Bostonians out of poverty.
The Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), in partnership with Community Action Akron Summit, is launching a Hotspot Lending Program available to qualifying residents in public housing. This program will provide 1,000 hotspots through a lending library managed by AMHA connecting up to 15 devices within one household. This program will provide free in home high-speed access for the whole family. Because this is a lending program, more than 1,000 low-income residents in Summit County will gain access through this program.