News Articles

Broadband Technology Grants

HUD would like to make owners and managers of public and assisted housing aware of a new grant opportunity being offered through the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

As more and more types of transactions related to government, employment, health, job training, and education deliver services online, access to broadband is becoming increasingly necessary. In response, the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) is making funding available to connect unserved and underserved populations to this important infrastructure.

BTOP's funding is made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help achieve the Administration's goal of providing broadband access to all Americans. Owners and managers of low-income and affordable housing serve the very populations that BTOP is attempting to reach, possess existing infrastructure (including Neighborhood Networks centers), and other resources that can be leveraged to create a more competitive grant application, and ultimately, a more viable and effective project.

There are two grant categories within the BTOP that will be applicable to housing organizations: the Public Computer Center Grant and the Sustainable Broadband Adoption Grant. Owners of multifamily housing properties, Public Housing Authorities, and other housing groups may wish to submit applications in partnership with organizations possessing expertise in information technology delivery and training.

Grant applications are being accepted from July 14 through August 14, 2009. Electronic applications will be available on or about July 31. Paper applications for grant requests of less then $1 million will be accepted.

To obtain the Notice of Funding Availability and application materials, please go to:
http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/info_lib.htm.

Informational workshops are being offered by NTIA through July only. To register, please visit:
http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/workshop.htm.

For additional information, please contact:
The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
1401 Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20230
Tel 202-482-2048
E-mail btop@ntia.doc.gov