Council of Large Public Housing Authorities Welcomes Obama Administration Initiative To Improve Educational Outcomes For Children In Federally Subsidized Housing Through Expanded Broadband Access
WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 16, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) welcomes President Obama’s announcement today of the ConnectHome initiative whose goal is to help boost the educational achievement of children who live in federally subsidized housing by increasing their at-home access to high-speed Internet services.
“It is critical that children living in public housing have access to the tools that will give them the best chance to improve their lives. Digital access is central to today’s educational achievement,” said Sunia Zaterman, CLPHA’s Executive Director.
Among the 27 cities chosen to be part of the ConnectHome pilot project are many served by CLPHA members: Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Cleveland, OH; Denver, CO; Durham, NC; Fresno, CA; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Newark, NJ; San Antonio, TX; Seattle, WA, and Washington, DC.
CLPHA members are leaders in efforts to narrow the educational gaps between their school-age residents and other children. They are partners with school districts, foundations and others and are increasingly focused on better aligning their housing assistance to families that include school-age children with services provided by schools and other community institutions and organizations.
This “systems alignment” work aims to make the most effective use of those combined efforts to improve educational outcomes. Narrowing the “digital divide” by making it easier for children in subsidized housing to use high-speed Internet in their homes to complete schoolwork will help ensure the success of this alignment movement.
Furthermore, broadband access in these low-income communities will benefit not just children but entire families. It promises to provide more opportunities for adults to complete their education, find jobs and move further along the path toward self-sufficiency.
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The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a non-profit organization working to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis and public education. It represents most of the nation’s largest public housing authorities. For news media inquiries, please contact Frank James, CLPHA Communications Director: 
