U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Dep. Secretary tours Albany to discuss access to affordable housing and expanding rural broadband access

ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Housing Authority is getting help at the federal level to help bridge the digital divide and bring affordable Wi-Fi to low income neighborhoods in east Albany.

The effort is part of the Biden Administration’s Investing in America Initiative with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development meeting with Albany leaders Monday.

And, the Deputy Secretary Adrianne Todman says that COVID shined a light on the need.

“It’s critical. When you thin about a student in the 6th grade trying to get his or her homework done. When you think about a mom who’s trying to apply for a job. When you think about a grandparent who may need to access telehealth, it’s critical to living our daily lives. And we saw that in the pandemic, but quite frankly we see it here now,” said Adrianne Todman, HUD, Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

For the Albany Housing Authority and their CEO, Dr. William Myles, they’ve been trying over the last half decade to close the gap on their own, but given the resources available to them to help, there was only so much that could be done.

“We had provided internet access to a limited amount of people because again, our bandwidth could only go so far. So, we started an initiative, and we’ve been rolling with it for quite some time. So this is something huge that we’ve been trying to make happen for some time…” said Dr. William Myles, CEO, Albany Housing Authority.

With the Department of Housing and Urban Development, they want to make sure that outside of what is considered an urban area isn’t receiving a bad broadband signal.

“When you go outside the urban core, sometimes the access isn’t as quality, and it’s a burden, just a financial burden for our families. And, so, what this partnership does it makes sure that folks are aware of what investing in America looks like…” said Adrianne Todman, HUD, Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

And, the Housing Authority is starting to get an idea of what to do next to remedy the problem.

“I feel real confident that we are going to make this thing happen. It’s going to be real right here in Albany, Georgia. It’s just a matter of dotting our I’s and crossing our T’s. Making sure that we meet the eligibility requirements. I feel really strong about it, feel really good about it,” said Dr. William Myles, CEO, Albany Housing Authority.

Doctor Myles says it’s going to be a long, uphill battle, but it’s a huge step in making sure nobody is left out of online access.

Todman says to see about getting access to log on to GetInternet.gov.

Brian Roche reporting.

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