HUD + Higher Ed Engagement Network Briefing: Increasing Digital Equity

We're excited to partner with HUD to bring a new community engagement opportunity to our members focused on addressing digital equity for communities with limited broadband access.

HUD + Higher Ed Engagement

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The HUD + Higher Ed Engagement Network aims to build strong relationships between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and higher education to create inclusive, sustainable, and thriving communities. 

Briefing: Digital Equity

We're excited to partner with HUD to bring a new community engagement opportunity to our members focused on addressing digital equity for communities with limited broadband access.

Today, access to the internet is more important than ever. However, broadband can be hard to access, especially for historically marginalized communities. HUD is partnering with the FCC to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program to assist households who are struggling to afford internet access. Eligible participants include:

  • Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
  • Those who received a Pell Grant during the current award year
  • Those who meet eligibility criteria for a participating provider's low-income internet program
  • One or more household members receive certain benefits, including Lifeline, SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, SSI, Federal Housing Assistance, Veteran's Benefits, Free and Reduced-Price School Food Programs
  • Additional eligibility provisions are available for Tribal households

How to take action

We know that your institutions have been deeply involved in addressing digital equity, particularly since the pandemic, for both our students and local communities. Here are some ways to partner with HUD to build digital equity nationwide.

  1. Donate hardware and devices to distribute at ACP enrollment events
     

  2. Offer IT and digital skills training to community members
     

  3. Promote the ACP program to community members through your local place-based activities

Seeking partnerships with priority communities

HUD Field Offices are seeking higher education partners in 68 priority communities with the highest level of need determined by Microsoft's Digital Equity Dashboard.

Campuses working with (or potential to work with) these communities should reach out HUDpartnerships@compact.org to get directly connected to a HUD digital equity charter team member to make an impact on digital equity. In your email, please provide information about the action items you can contribute to and any relevant background on existing or potential engagement with the target community.

Please note: You should not reach out to HUD field office or the housing partner directly. Emailing HUDpartnerships@compact.org is the first step!

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Anchor Institutions Task Force (AITF)

An action-oriented learning community of nearly 1000 individual members in the U.S. and abroad.

Campus Compact

A national coalition of colleges and universities committed to the public purposes of higher education.

Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU)

Dedicated to its member institutions and to the creation and dissemination of knowledge on the issues that face urban and metropolitan campuses and the communities they serve.

University Economic Development Association (UEDA)

Connects members—higher education institutions, private sector businesses, and economic development organizations—to resources that facilitate economic growth in their communities.

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