The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced an official expansion of the agency’s digital connectivity support program, ConnectHomeUSA (CHUSA), on December 19. CHUSA provides technical assistance and peer sharing opportunities for affordable housing communities.

HUD is expanding the program for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Following LeadingAge advocacy dating back to 2021, HUD’s expansion intentionally includes properties participating in HUD’s Multifamily Housing programs.

LeadingAge Provides HUD Feedback on ConnectHome Expansion

Following the proposed expansion announced by HUD in October 2023, LeadingAge submitted comments in support of the agency’s expansion of CHUSA to HUD’s Multifamily Housing (MFH) programs, which LeadingAge has expressly asked HUD to do during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. LeadingAge comments also urged HUD to make additional improvements for MFH communities.

Among other recommendations for the expanded program, LeadingAge requested that HUD provide clarity on how different types of Multifamily Housing providers can participate in CHUSA and what they gain. LeadingAge’s comments also urged HUD to secure more resources for the program and to “open up” key existing resources for all MF housing providers, regardless of formal participation in CHUSA.

What is ConnectHomeUSA?

CHUSA is HUD’s signature digital inclusion program that assists Public Housing Authorities, and now also Multifamily housing providers, as they build digital connectivity to help residents connect to affordable internet service and computer devices, while also providing them with digital skills training.

CHUSA was launched in 2015 to close the homework gap in twenty-eight pilot communities, spearheaded by Public Housing Authorities. Since that time, 100 communities have participated in the initiative.

The current expansion marks the first time since 2020 that HUD is accepting new properties into the program, and the first time that HUD is explicitly recruiting properties participating in HUD’s Multifamily Housing programs, like project-based Section 8 and Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly.

There is no Congressional funding for CHUSA; the program implementation is contingent upon HUD resources such as staffing and technical assistance. LeadingAge is urging HUD to work with Congress to secure funding for ConnectHome and for more direct internet cost offsets for affordable housing providers.

Applying to Participate in ConnectHomeUSA

HUD intends to accept between 50-100 new communities into the program for a three-year commitment. Accepted properties will need to develop an initial action plan, conduct a baseline survey of resident connectivity needs, develop goals for the community, and report to HUD on the community’s progress.

Participating properties will have access to third-party technical assistance, as well as HUD-provided training and education opportunities. HUD will accept letters of intent from properties starting in mid-December through February 15, 2024. For more information, visit www.hud.gov/connecthomeusa; letters of intent should be sent to ConnectHome@hud.gov.

On January 11 from 1-2 p.m. ET, CHUSA staff will host a webinar on the expansion and application process. Register here.

LeadingAge Advocacy to Expand Digital Connectivity

Since the initiative launched in 2015, the program has mostly been geared toward Public Housing, resulting in LeadingAge advocacy urging HUD to expand ConnectHome to HUD’s Multifamily Housing providers. Currently, most HUD-assisted senior housing communities lack wall-to-wall internet access and struggle to meet the digital literacy needs of residents.

In a 2021 letter to Ethan Handelman, HUD’s deputy assistant secretary for multifamily housing programs, LeadingAge wrote: “Connectivity is a not only a critical determinant of health—during COVID-19 and beyond—but also a key equity issue in our country. The pandemic has made clear that older adults with low incomes need access to the internet in their homes.”

LeadingAge’s letter said that “housing communities also need wall-to-wall internet capacity for efficient housing operations, like uploading work orders during unit inspections or implementing HUD’s new guidance on electronic signatures and file storage. HUD should make every effort to expand internet capacity across the portfolio for the benefit of both projects and residents.”

Among other internet-related recommendations, LeadingAge’s 2021 letter called on HUD to revive and expand the ConnectHome program to serve Multifamily Housing. We applaud HUD for taking action to support the connectivity needs of older adults.

Get Involved!

To get involved with LeadingAge’s internet connectivity work, members can join our quarterly workgroup on internet access in affordable housing. Reach out to Juliana Bilowich, LeadingAge’s Director of Housing Operations and Policy for more information.