Digital Inclusion Efforts Awarded $125,000
Friends of DHA is one of five Colorado agencies selected to receive national grant funding ~
DENVER – (Monday, October 2, 2023) The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it has selected Denver Community Ventures – dba Friends of DHA, as one of five agencies in Colorado to receive a grant in the amount of $125,000 grant pursuant to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
“ACP directly influences Denver Housing Authority (DHA) families in desperate need of digital access,” Annie Hancock, Director of Resident and Community Connections said. “The provision of affordable internet through the ACP is the first step to help DHA residents remain in communication compliance for federal and state benefit updates, job applications, online school, and health care telehealth models.”
These FCC Funds will be utilized to conduct digital campaigns, door-to-door canvassing, operate phone banks, distribute direct mail, and host ACP application enrollment and outreach events. This funding is a major opportunity to move forward Friends of DHA’s digital inclusion plan.
The FCC targeted $66 million in outreach grants to partner organizations nationwide to serve as trusted community messengers for the ACP in historically underserved and Tribal communities. More than 350 grant applications were reviewed and ultimately 197 applicants were selected to represent 50 states and territories to pursue a broad range of outreach projects.
Created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households may also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 towards the purchase price.
Denver Housing Authority
DHA’s mission is to serve the residents of Denver by developing, owning, and operating safe, decent, and affordable housing in a manner that promotes thriving communities. It is a quasi-municipal corporation with a portfolio of over 13,000 units and housing choice vouchers, providing affordable housing to more than 27,000 very low, low, and middle-income individuals. DHA has been creating vibrant communities and sustainable neighborhoods since 1938. www.denverhousing.org
