City of Atlanta Hosts Second Pilot Launch Atlanta ConnectHome

Mayor Kasim Reed announces the second launch of ConnectHome Atlanta.

HUD Regional Administrator Jennings recognizes the City for helping public housing families and children.

Over 150 family members and children attended the second launch of ConnectHome Atlanta.

City of Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed (www.atlantaga.gov/index.aspx?page=16) recently announced the second pilot launch of the Atlanta ConnectHome Initiative (http://connecthome.hud.gov/) which is designed to help bridge the digital literacy gap for school-aged children by providing families with free wireless devices, internet services and digital literacy training. HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. joined Mayor Reed along with the city's Chief Information Officer Samir Saini, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Amy Phuong, Atlanta Workforce Development Agency Executive Director Michael T. Sterling, Atlanta Housing Authority CEO and President Joy Fitzgerald and Atlanta Public Schools Data and Information Executive Director Dr. Rubye Sullivan at The Center of Hope at Adamsville Recreation Center where 150 families received tablets and technology training.

"We are excited for the opportunity to partner with the White House (https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/07/15/fact-sheet-connecthome-coming-together-ensure-digital-opportunity-all) and HUD on the ConnectHome initiative which will help close the digital divide and ensure that every student in the City of Atlanta has access to high-speed internet," said Mayor Reed. "My administration is committed to providing opportunities which afford our young people the chance to succeed academically. High-speed broadband is necessary to achieve this goal." The Department of Atlanta Information Management and the Atlanta Housing Authority, the City of Atlanta was selected as one of 27 U.S. cities and one tribal nation to participate in the ConnectHome pilot program by the White House and HUD. The Obama Administration announced the program in July 2015, and will initially provide more than 275,000 households and nearly 200,000 children with the support they need to access the internet at home.

"We are very encouraged by the dedicated and heartfelt work of Mayor Reed and the City of Atlanta, as well as the Atlanta Housing Authority (www.atlantahousing.org/) under the leadership of Joy Fitzgerald and local leaders here today with ConnectHome Atlanta," said Ed Jennings, Jr., HUD SE Regional Administrator. "The ConnectHome initiative levels the playing field for the families and children we serve. Now they will be able to go online to complete their homework, apply for jobs and also apply for college admission and ultimately have the opportunity of a better future."

ConnectHome accelerates broadband adoption and narrows the digital divide in the City of Atlanta and in communities across the nation. The pilot will address various barriers to broadband access, including the costs associated with high-speed service and electronic devices, and the need to provide residents with training in digital literacy.

Building on the first launch of the ConnectHome pilot program in January, more families will receive computer devices, free internet service and digital literacy training that will connected them with educational resources as well as job training as more launches occur in this year.

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