The Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act was introduced on January 10 in the Senate and House. The bipartisan bills, S. 3565 and H.R. 6929, would authorize $7 billion to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program at least through the end of 2024. The program, which provides monthly $30 internet subsidies to qualifying households, including all Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) multifamily households, will exhaust its funds by April 2024 without additional funding.

The bills were cosponsored, respectively, by Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Representatives Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), and Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY).

LeadingAge has worked to ensure HUD residents have streamlined access to the ACP to help bridge the lack of affordable internet in most HUD multifamily housing communities, and we support the bills.