No-Cost Internet Access Launched at Communities
July 19, 2023
—
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.
This initiative is part of a $4 million Wi-Fi Expansion Project approved by the Opportunity Home’s Board of Commissioners in 2020 – an extension of previous efforts by Opportunity Home to reduce the digital divide in the city.
From 2013 to 2017, the organization connected its community rooms at public housing properties with broadband access and digital devices, and further connected four communities with Wi-Fi that would reach homes in 2017 and 2018.
By providing this service, residents are able to complete educational assignments, apply for employment and attend telehealth appointments, which may have been impossible to perform otherwise.
“The capability that all communities will soon have is going to change the lives of those we serve,” Opportunity Home Director of Innovative Technology Jo Ana Alvarado said. “Our residents will no longer have stress about how they can get connected digitally; they can access the internet on their device from any area in their apartment community.”
In addition to broadband access, residents can also receive a digital device at no cost to them if they complete a digital literacy course under the organization’s ConnectHomeSA program.
Individuals can contribute to Opportunity Home’s mission of connecting underserved communities digitally by donating digital devices to the organization’s ConnectHomeSA program. They can email [email protected] for more information.