Free in-home Wi-Fi is on the way for more than 16,000 New Yorkers who live in public housing.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $10 billion investment on Thursday that will bring high-speed broadband to five NYCHA developments in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. Thursday’s announcement is part of President Obama’s ConnectHomeprogram that links Internet providers, nonprofits and the private sector to provide Internet access, devices and training programs for peoplewho live in HUD housing. The city is working toward affordable broadband across the five boroughs by 2025, according to the mayor’s office.
Queensbridge North and South Houses in Queens will get the broadband first, followed by Brooklyn’s Red Hook’s East and West Houses, and Mott Haven Houses in the South Bronx.
Some 22 percent of New Yorkers do not have Internet access at home, and 36 percent of households below the poverty line are not connected to the web, according to the city’s Center for Economic Opportunity.
Free broadband coming to five NYCHA developments
