Congressman Cleaver Announces Kansas City as New Location for HUD Digital Divide Project

Press Release

Today Congressman Cleaver is thrilled to announce that President Barack Obama, in coordination with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Secretary Julian Castro, has chosen Kansas City to participate in their new digital inclusion program called ConnectHome. This initiative aims to increase broadband access for children and families living in HUD-assisted housing in 28 communities across the country.

"Secretary Castro and I agree that access to high-speed Internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity in our current global economy," Congressman Cleaver said. "Over the last few years, our community has seen a drastic transformation in internet affordability and speed. But with as many as twenty-five percent of our residents lacking internet access at home, it is clear that we need to do more to ensure that everyone can utilize these benefits. Secretary Castro's announcement is a welcome step in the right direction towards bridging the digital divide.'

According to HUD, "ConnectHome establishes a platform for collaboration between local governments, members of private industry, nonprofit organizations, and other interested entities to produce locally-tailored solutions for narrowing the digital divide." Stakeholders will aim to aid in breaking down barriers to broadband access by underwriting costs of attaining high-speed service, providing training in digital literacy, and building up infrastructure in HUD-assisted housing and buildings. HUD is joining forces with eight Internet Service Providers nationwide

The selected communities will be responsible for developing criteria for evaluating effectiveness of the ConnectHome program and informing HUD of the efficiency of the program. HUD will not be dedicating any federal funding for ConnectHome, but has pinpointed possible policies to provide their existing programs with greater flexibility in accessing broadband Internet.

In a letter sent to Secretary Castro in early May, Congressman Cleaver urged Secretary Castro to select Kansas City, Missouri, as one of the demonstration project cities. Cleaver highlighted the digital divide in Missouri's Fifth District, saying that it is, at its heart, an issue that only perpetuates existing social and economic inequality. Congressman Cleaver also asked Secretary Castro to include a directive to allow housing agencies to treat the Internet as a utility, and thus being eligible for a utility allowance. Though this portion is not included in today's announcement, public housing agencies are able to apply for waivers and therefore treat the Internet like a utility. Congressman Cleaver will continue to work to give public housing agencies this authority.

"The President's selection of Kansas City as a ConnectHome initiative city will advance our ongoing digital equity efforts for our entire city," Kansas City Mayor Sly James said. "Public housing residents are in dire need of connectivity, and our participation in this initiative will give everyone the opportunity to succeed in Kansas City's technological economy."

Edwin Lowndes, executive director of the Housing Authority of Greater Kansas City, stated, "Affordable internet service is necessary in today's world in order to access education, employment opportunities and fully participate in our communities. We are excited that the Housing Authority and the City of Kansas City have been selected to participate in the President's ConnectHome initiative. We will focus on ways to bring affordable internet services to very low-income families in Kansas City and provide opportunities for these families to access 21st century technology in their homes."

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