Eligible Section 8 households will be able to receive low-cost internet access

(FOX 11/CNS) - More than 3,000 eligible Section 8 households in Los Angeles will be able to receive low-cost internet access through a new program aimed at helping breach the digital divide, City Council President Herb Wesson announced Thursday.

The ConnectHome initiative, organized by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Wesson, the nonprofit agency human-I-T and Frontier Communications, is aimed at expanding high-speed broadband internet access for residents in federally subsidized housing units.

"Today we build upon the success of the city's OurCycle LA program, which has donated thousands of computers and free Wi-Fi to deserving Angelenos," said Wesson, speaking about a program he created that refurbishes city-owned computers and donates them to low-income people.

Wesson and other officials involved with the program made the announcement at the Moonlight Villas housing complex in Pacoima, where 26 of the 27 households are receiving federal rental aid and nearly half of the
households do not have an internet connection because it is too expensive. At an average of $40 a month, the cost is as much as the rent that some of the households pay.

"Frontier Communications is delighted to join as a community partner to bring affordable broadband programs to increase access to internet service and help Californians narrow the digital divide," said Joe Gamble, senior vice
president for Frontier Communications. "This program aligns with Frontier's mission to serve California communities and affirms our commitment to expand high-speed connectivity where currently unavailable."

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