As historic levels of broadband funding become available and the process to distribute them begins, CAST Vice President Scott Code offers a LeadingAge QuickCast on how to access these essential funds.

 In this eight-minute QuickCast, Code details how the BEAD Program and Digital Equity Act are designed to ensure low-income households have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet and the skills training to make the most use of it. The Bridging the Broadband Affordability Gap QuickCast is now live on the Learning Hub.

 Accessing Funding for Affordable Broadband

The $65 billion Internet for All initiative is providing funds through two programs: the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and the Digital Equity Act (DEA). Funds will be distributed through the states. Public housing authorities (PHAs), multi-family owners and operators, and Tribes are eligible.

 The upcoming funding was a topic at the 2023 Health & Housing Symposium: Digital Equity is Health Equity, held on April 16, 2023, in conjunction with the LeadingAge Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Speakers made several recommendations to help ensure that affordable housing providers are able to tap these funds.

 Engage State Broadband Offices Now: Affordable housing providers should reach out to their state broadband office (SBO) now to request funding for their properties. SBO directors will decide where funding goes, so opening those conversations now is important. All 50 states; Washington, D.C.; and Puerto Rico have received planning funding under these programs. An Internet for All map shows program status for each state.

Advocate for Inclusion of HUD Multi-Family Housing: Be sure to advocate for the inclusion of HUD-assisted housing, specifically multi-family housing, before the state broadband office finalizes the digital equity plan for your state.

 Talking Points Are Available: People who are new to these conversations may wish to use the talking and advocacy points from Volunteers of America National Service.

 Tap a New HUD Resource: The new “ConnectHomeUSA Guide to New Broadband Funding for HUD-Assisted Communities” is a helpful resource for states and organizations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A recent Tech Time article includes more information on the guide and the funding.