Broadband, a basic necessity to live and work in Austin, remains out of reach for a critical 5% of Austinites, but a quarter of a million dollars granted to local nonprofitThe organization received the grant as part of the Federal Communications Commission’s Your Home, Your Internet pilot program, which seeks to help people understand and enroll in the, which provides a discount on broadband services up to $30 monthly plus a one-time discount on a tablet or computer.
and those using the Section 8 voucher program, so they’re well-positioned to connect those residents to cheaper internet. And HACA residents can also receive a stipend for working as a digital ambassador helping their neighbors navigate internet access related difficulties. These volunteers work with IT interns fromand ACP providers in central Texas. Digital ambassadors “are able to bring a lot to the table before a resident ever clicks on a ACP registration,” Crago says.
The grant will go towards volunteer stipends, full-time staff salaries, and the cost of printed materials and postage. Crago hopes they can reach not only HACA residents, but also qualifying residents in private apartments on. “We want to make sure those folks … across the city that are in these nooks and crannies really know that this is a program that’s available for them,” she says.