HUD's technology programs (e.g. Neighborhood Networks), should play a more significant role.
For the HUD to effectively serve its constituents and the Nation, it must think beyond simply putting roofs over Americans' heads to creating programs that empower Americans to stand on their own two feet. For HUD to fulfill the vision, mission, and goals — particularly sub-goals 3A, 3C, and 4B — proposed in its FY2010-2015 strategic plan, technology must be a key component of the Department's long-term strategy. Providing safe and affordable housing does not alone enable Americans to achieve greater self-sufficiency or build stronger communities. However, when safe and affordable housing is combined with technology access and the resources that allow Americans to acquire the skills they need to compete in today's technology-driven world, greater self-sufficiency and stronger communities often follow.
With HUD-subsidized housing communities located all across the United States, the Department can play a pivotal role in closing the technology gap — a top concern of President Obama. One way HUD can do this is through continued and expanded support of its Neighborhood Networks Initiative. As one of the first federal initiatives to promote technology and self-sufficiency, Neighborhood Networks has been delivering technology access to America's communities since 1995. The Initiative has helped countless residents of HUD Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured and -assisted communities obtain jobs, advance in their current jobs, achieve greater academic success, pursue higher education, transition from renters to homeowners, and improve their overall quality of life. However, there is still a great deal of work to be done. HUD programs and initiatives that offer a technology component, such as Neighborhood Networks, should play a more significant role in HUD's strategic plan.
In addition, President Obama has made his support for technology access crystal clear. The Obama Administration has pledged support for universal broadband, or faster Internet service for all Americans. This is particularly relevant to HUD as 30% of families with incomes of less than $15,000 had the lowest rate of broadband adoption, while 89% of families with incomes of more than $150,000 had the highest rate of broadband adoption. To help the Obama Administration achieve its goal, HUD must incorporate technology into its housing programs.
Technology is not a luxury, but a necessity to which all Americans — regardless of their educational background, income level, or race — must have access and possess the skills to operate it. HUD is in a unique position to make this happen.
Veralee Liban
shared this idea
9 comments
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jules commented
For so many of us, the Information Highway leads straight to our homes - enabling us to interactively learn online, search for jobs, bank, connect to our family, friends, and others, get news, and even work from the convenience of our homes as needed. For those of us who have this ability to connect so readily, while we appreciate it, we may also take for granted that everyone has similar access to this type of connectivity. This notion is simply not so. We do not allow housing without electricity, water or phone access at a minimum. My belief is the internet will overtake the phone as one of those minimum requirements for humane living conditions.
President Obama's initiative (and resulting financial commitment via stimulus funding designated for the Broadband Initiatives Program) is certainly a step in the right direction to provide access to everyone. In researching the Broadband initiatives, it appears the funding lines went primarily to Dept of Commerce and Dept of Agriculture. It makes logical sense that HUD could have used some of this funding to contribute to this important initiative given HUD’s ability to facilitate technology enabled housing programs. HUD has already demonstrated measurable results in empowering people through technology access and training within their housing facilities with the Neighborhood Network Centers program. Years ago, at the inception of the Neighborhood Networks initiative, HUD established itself as a thought leader in recognizing the impact of providing technology access within multi-family and public housing communities. The difference between the model of Neighborhood Networks compared much of what has been focused on to date for broadband initiatives, is that Neighborhood Networks doesn’t just provide connectivity, it promotes technology adoption through training and community involvement.
My recommendation to HUD reviewers: Assure the language in the strategic plan strengthens your position as a key stakeholder in providing technology enabled or “connected” housing programs so you get the funding you deserve.
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For so many of us, the Information Highway leads straight to our homes - enabling us to interactively learn online, search for jobs, bank, connect to our family, friends, and others, get news, and even work from the convenience of our homes as needed. For those of us who have this ability to connect so readily, while we appreciate it, we may also take for granted that everyone has similar access to this type of connectivity. This notion is simply not so. We do not allow housing without electricity, water or phone access at a minimum. My belief is the internet will overtake the phone as one of those minimum requirements for humane living conditions.
President Obama's initiative (and resulting financial commitment via stimulus funding designated for the Broadband Initiatives Program) is certainly a step in the right direction to provide access to everyone. In researching the Broadband initiatives, it appears the funding lines went primarily to Dept of Commerce and Dept of Agriculture. It makes logical sense that HUD could have used some of this funding to contribute to this important initiative given HUD’s ability to facilitate technology enabled housing programs. HUD has already demonstrated measurable results in empowering people through technology access and training within their housing facilities with the Neighborhood Network Centers program. Years ago, at the inception of the Neighborhood Networks initiative, HUD established itself as a thought leader in recognizing the impact of providing technology access within multi-family and public housing communities. The difference between the model of Neighborhood Networks compared much of what has been focused on to date for broadband initiatives, is that Neighborhood Networks doesn’t just provide connectivity, it promotes technology adoption through training and community involvement.
My recommendation to HUD reviewers: Assure the language in the strategic plan strengthens your position as a key stakeholder in providing technology enabled or “connected” housing programs so you're not left out of the funding pool next time.
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Don Mack
commented
Why would such a program be drastically cut at a time when we need more programs that reach out to our people in their time of need? This is a program that directly reaches people in need as opposed to trickle-down government programs that bail out Wall Street, with the hope that in years to come, the American people will benefit. The Neighborhood Networks partnership with communities provides opportunities, especially in the area of new technologies that will allow America to advance and compete in a Global economy. A large segment of our economy are being left behind, because they do not have the technical skills that are required in the new world economy. The massive reduction in this program is particularly unwise, as it will significantly reduce the efficacy of the good works that have been done and the progress that has been made.
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Don Mack
commented
Why would such a program be cut at a time when we need more programs that reach out to our people in their time of need? This is a program the directly reaches people in need as opposed to trickle-down government programs that bail out Wall Street with the hope that in years to come, the American people will benefit.
The Neighborhood Networks partnership with communities provides opportunities, especially in the area of new technologies that will allow America to advance and compete in a Global economy. A large segment of our economy are being left behind because they do not have the technical skills that are required in the new world economy. The massive reduction in this program is particularly unwise, as it will significantly reduce the efficacy of the good works that have been done and the progress that has been made. -
Kimberly Paul commented
Housing and Urban Development's Neighborhood Networks Initiative serves America's 'have nots' through technology, connection to local/national resources, and increasing education with after school programs for children. In addition to, high quality workforce development activities to people who are on the lowest level in the hiring pool. The Neighborhood Networks Initiative provides a resource to people living in low-income housing; this includes a large number of our Senior Citizen/Elderly and multi-family communities. Furthermore, the Neighborhood Networks Initiative provides training and resources to staff working directly with a challenging population to help them enrich their lives. In these challenging economic times, we need to do all we can--not to make reductions in our low-income communities. As America grows, we cannot afford to leave our communities that need us the most behind.
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Herman Hines
commented
The Neighborhood Networks Program provides a critical link between people in their communities and the Government. The Neighborhood Networks partnership with communities provides opportunities, especially in the area of new technologies that will allow America to advance and compete in a Global economy. Further reductions in this program with have significant impacts on our progression into the New Millennium for years to come.
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Glenn Wright
commented
The Neighbhorhood Networks initiative is in the heart of neighborhoods reaching in through learning centers and provides technology opportunity for people and families to enhance their livelihood and potential for better housing, and development and assistance in long term contributions to their community. This has been a growing footprint and it must not be impeded, in fact, further replicated to continue this successful empowement tool. This is where lives change, HUD must maintain and improve the momentum of its important impact of hope and opportjunity!
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Anonymous
commented
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Networks Initiative has come a long way since its introduction in 1995 as an initiative to assist with bridging the technology gap experienced by it residents in a technology-driven world. In its’ 15th year, those involved with the Neighborhood Networks Initiative can proclaim that they have worked one-on-one with staff of over 1,400+ computer learning centers located in low-income communities across the country to develop partnerships with local and national nonprofit organizations and businesses to identify a variety of resources for the residents of their communities.
The Neighborhood Networks Initiative has worked with computer learning centers to obtain countless forms of in-kind donations, grant monies, volunteer time, and educational materials from colleges and universities, banks, grocery stores, foundations, career centers, etc. to assist residents in their quest to become self-sufficient. Neighborhood Networks centers have worked with residents of HUD Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured and -assisted communities to obtain their GED’s, four-year college degrees, long-term employment, and to purchase their first homes. Neighborhood Networks centers staff have conducted residents needs assessments, door-to-door surveys, and focus groups to stay aware of what residents need in order to become self-sufficient in the future. Neighborhood Networks centers have been a safe haven to youth, a learning environment for adults, and a place for senior citizens to receive assistance with navigating the Internet. Without Neighborhood Networks centers and the Neighborhood Networks Initiative, many residents of these communities will be without access to the technology they need to stay afloat in today’s technology-driven society.
Overall, the Neighborhood Networks Initiative is the essence of what President Obama stands for and touches on several of the White House’s key issues. The Initiative consistently focuses on technology, the economy, education, family, poverty, rural areas, senior citizens, and community service. Neighborhood Networks centers are reaching individuals from Washington state to the U.S. Virgin Islands, and continues to expand with the opening of new computer learning center. The impact that the Neighborhood Networks Initiative has had on residents has been great . . . but with continued support from President Obama’s administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Initiative can advance to new levels in the 21st century.
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Shawn Boyd
commented
President Obama's initiatives include technology. If we are to be a united country that is formed of people who have the same opportunities to succeed we need to ensure that persons at every level have access to technology. As our world grows and becomes more technologically interconnected we are leaving behind groups of people who don't have access to the technological resources in their schools and at their homes. It is incumbent upon us to reduce the technological divide to ensure that all people have equal opportunities to succeed in this country. We already have the programs in place that work and have made a difference let's continue to reach those communities that are disenfranchised.
