For nearly three decades, Rural LISC has helped its partners expand their services through affordable housing, financial literacy, workforce development, health and small businesses. More recently, we have expanded to include broadband internet access and adoption-related programming as an essential and intersecting component of that work. 

When developing a housing project, utilities such as water and electricity are an integral part of the process. Today, broadband internet infrastructure must be considered the same way.But all too often, Americans living in multi-family housing or low-income neighborhoodscan face challenges realizing the benefits of reliable, affordable internet service. Reconciling the interests of affected parties – service providers, end-user tenants and building operators – is a dynamic the Federal Communication Commission has described as “uniquely challenging.”   

Rural LISC, with the expertise of CTC Technology & Energy, an industry leader in broadband and telecommunications consulting, produced the award-winning “Affordable Housing Developer’s Broadband Handbook,” and an accompanying guide for lenders, to help affordable housing stakeholders plan for, pay for, and advocate for better internet connectivity in their housing communities. 

Rich with technical detail – the variety of building connectivity technologies, availability of existing funding to get buildings connected, payer models, and digital inclusion strategies are all discussed – the guides demonstrate that incorporating broadband into a building’s design makes financial sense, while helping residents to fully participate in the benefits that engaging in the digital realm can bring.