New York State Receives $100M for Broadband Expansion

New York State will receive $100 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to expand high-speed internet, resulting in the largest targeted investment in affordable housing connectivity in the nation. The State will use the funding to connect nearly 100,000 low-income housing units to affordable, high-speed internet under the new Affordable Housing Connectivity Program (AHCP).

The AHCP is a competitive grant program that will provide owners of affordable multifamily housing with new or upgraded broadband infrastructure so that tenants can access high-quality home internet service at affordable monthly rates. Following the completion of fiber broadband upgrades to buildings, residents will be able to access digital inclusion services.

Building owners who are interested in receiving no-cost new or upgraded fiber-to-the-unit broadband equipment installations should complete the Broadband in Your Property survey. According to the State’s ConnectALL website, taking the survey is the first step for property owners to receive infrastructure upgrades.

LeadingAge NY has previously joined LeadingAge National and other advocates in calling for federal investments in connectivity to be targeted to affordable multifamily housing properties and looks forward to the opportunity to work with stakeholders to maximize the direct and lasting benefits for older adult residents of affordable senior housing properties throughout the state.

Members interested in getting more involved in LeadingAge National’s advocacy on affordable senior housing connectivity issues can reach out to Juliana Bilowich at jbilowich@leadingage.org for more information.

Contact: Annalyse Komoroske Denio, akomoroskedenio@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8866