The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) partnered with AT&T to expand the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s ConnectHome initiative, aimed at bridging the digital divide. Forty residents at Pueblo del Rio Housing Development registered for the Access from AT&T program on Saturday January 23. All 660 households received information about this opportunity to get connected through this low-cost program.
Selecting from two-tiered Internet speeds at cost options of $5 or $10, participating households have access to broadband. Additionally, through this program, installation and Internet equipment fees are waived.
“We are pleased to start off this New Year by collaborating with HUD and AT&T to continue our work in bridging the digital divide,” said HACLA President and CEO Douglas Guthrie. “Access to the Internet allows our children to tap into educational resources, and adults to seek job employment opportunities but many low-income households are stifled by the high cost of Internet services. That’s why HACLA has worked to connect over 2,000 households and we believe that AT&T’s new affordable plan will assist additional families gain access to this necessary tool.”
HACLA’s sign up event at Pueblo del Rio is one of thirty events AT&T is hosting for ConnectHome around the country.
“Internet access opens up huge opportunities for school-age children,” said Mike Silacci Regional Vice President, External Affairs, AT&T. “We’re pleased to work with HUD and HACLA to help more families across the city learn how to get connected.”
In addition to the affordable Internet program, several partners joined the Resource Fair. Girls Who Code shared information about its afterschool and internship programs. Jump Start led story time and crafts for the children and families as well as giving away books and school supplies. Meanwhile donated diapers from Baby2Baby were distributed and Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Head Start program signed up twenty eight families for its program.