Empire State Development announced on May 13 a commitment of up to $20 million to expand reliable, high-quality internet access for residents in homeless shelters across New York State. The ConnectALL Office will lead the initiative with $17 million allocated for initial installation, while the New York State Public Service Commission will provide an additional $3 million in in-kind investment. Funding will be used to install broadband infrastructure at shelters statewide, and ongoing service costs may be reimbursed as an essential service.
The effort aims to address barriers faced by individuals and families living in temporary housing who lack reliable connectivity needed for education, employment, and daily life. Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Expanding broadband access is essential to unlocking economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. Through ConnectALL, we are ensuring that individuals and families in temporary housing are not left behind in an increasingly digital world. This initiative will equip residents with the connectivity, tools, and training they need to pursue education, employment, and economic mobility.”
Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said that fast internet is valuable for shelter residents: “Access to a fast, reliable internet connection is of great value for families and individuals temporarily residing in a homeless shelter and we are grateful to Governor Hochul and our state partners for expanding this access. Connection to internet service will help children complete school assignments and support residents’ efforts to seek employment, permanent housing, and carry out daily life activities.”
Public Service Commission Chair Rory Christian highlighted the importance of online access: “In an increasingly digital economy, online access is critical to ensuring that opportunities supporting new beginnings for populations facing hardship and instability are within reach… The Public Service Commission is proud to facilitate funding – secured through the Commission’s review of the transaction between Charter Communications Inc. and Cox Enterprises Inc. – that expands infrastructure supporting these essential services…”
Senator Kristen Gonzalez called the investment “a monumental step toward digital equity,” while Assemblymember Karines Reyes said it recognizes connectivity as “the essential infrastructure it is.” Assemblymember Steve Otis congratulated state leaders on identifying funding “to wire our homeless shelters” as part of fulfilling New York’s Digital Equity Plan.
The program includes installing building connections such as Wi-Fi routers at eligible facilities determined by OTDA; ConnectALL will set technical standards based on assessments of current conditions. Residents will also gain links to educational programs designed to improve job readiness skills.
This move follows several initiatives under Governor Hochul’s administration aimed at closing New York’s digital divide through over $1 billion invested via ConnectALL into municipal broadband networks; affordable housing connectivity; deployment programs targeting unserved areas; innovation programs; regional grants; new public fiber lines along major routes; and mobile service expansion plans.
Empire State Development continues its broader mission promoting business growth across all regions while overseeing workforce development efforts.
