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Louisville Metro Housing Authority Selected To Join The First ConnectHome Nation Cohort

On August 21, 2017, Louisville Metro Housing Authority was selected to join the new ConnectHome Nation cohort alongside 30 other communities. These communities were chosen after an open application process and review by EveryoneOn.

“ConnectHome and now ConnectHome Nation is a first of its kind, public-private partnership that is committed to ending the digital divide in public housing across the United States,” said Chike Aguh, chief executive officer of EveryoneOn. “We are so excited to welcome this new cohort of communities who are committed to changing the life trajectory of some of the most in need in our country. These communities’ commitment to ConnectHome Nation shows that when you collaborate across public and private sectors, you can solve any problem.”

In May 2017, EveryoneOn announced the expansion of the ConnectHome pilot initiative, which launched in 2015 in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and was created to bridge the digital divide in 28 pilot communities. Rebranded ConnectHome Nation, the goal of the initiative is to expand to 100 communities and connect 350,000 people living in HUD-assisted housing by 2020.

As part of this expansion, new communities will have access to the following:

  • Access to stakeholder commitments;
  • Continued assistance with stakeholder negotiation by EveryoneOn as communities seek to add new partners to the initiative;
  • Monthly webinars with EveryoneOn for help with local efforts and best practices;
  • Access to a mentorship community to help guide progress; and,
  • Access to the Digital ConnectHome Platform, which will include resources and collateral created for ConnectHome and would serve as a space for communities to connect, ask questions, and collect data.

Since summer 2016, Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA) has partnered with the Louisville Metro Government (LMG) Office of Performance Improvements and Innovation to develop strategies that address the growing digital divide in Louisville.  This work culminated in the release of Louisville’s first Digital Inclusion Plan (digitalinclusion.louisvilleky.gov) in May 2017. Along with several other partners, this group has opened the PNC Gigabit Experience Center at Louisville Central Community Centers in Russell, expanded public Wi-Fi options in west Louisville, connected residents to low-cost home internet plans, and piloted additional projects to decrease the digital divide. The many resources that ConnectHome Nation offers will fuel this already robust work.

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