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New York City Council Unanimously Adopts Resolution to Provide High-Speed Internet Access to Affordable Housing ResidentsNEW YORK, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York City Council unanimously adopted a resolution to provide low- or no-cost high-speed Internet access to affordable housing residents. Res. No. 669, introduced by Council Member Gale A. Brewer, the Chair of the New York City Council's Committee on Technology in Government, calls upon City agencies to use their funding and regulatory power to support and encourage the provision of affordable high-speed Internet service and computer purchases for the benefit of residents of affordable housing. This resolution represents a major accomplishment for One Economy Corporation, a national nonprofit that utilizes technology to help low-income people improve their lives. One Economy's Bring IT Home campaign, a public policy initiative to bring high-speed Internet access into all new and rehabilitated affordable housing, has affected policy change in 29 states and two cities since its launch in February 2004. According to Mark Levine, One Economy vice president, northeast region, New York has set the bar for other cities to consider similar action for the benefit of their communities. "We congratulate the New York City Council on its leadership and vision in unanimously passing Res. No. 669," said Levine, who helped draft the resolution. "One of the most debilitating aspects of poverty is isolation ... whether based on geography, education level or discrimination. We believe that technology and the Internet have the potential to help low-income people leap over each of these barriers. New York can set an example for other municipalities in helping our nation's low-income families to tap the transformative potential of technology." Res. No. 669 states that: * All future publicly financed or subsidized housing properties for residents earning less than 80 percent of the median area income should provide a high-speed Internet connection in the living area of every unit to residents for free or at a cost of less than $10 per month; * The development of programs that benefit of low-income residents' utilization of technology, such as the affordable purchase of computers, should be encouraged; and * All relevant City agencies should use their funding and regulatory power to support and encourage the provision of affordable high-speed Internet service and computer purchases for the benefit of residents of affordable housing. One Economy helps affordable housing developers across the nation design and implement high-speed Internet access solutions for residents. By installing shared data networks akin to those in commercial offices, developers can significantly lower the per-user cost. This solution provides broadband Internet access to each family at an ongoing cost of one-third or even one-fourth the market rate. In some cases, the price is so low that housers elect to absorb the cost completely. About the New York City Council's Committee on Technology in Government The primary goals of the Committee on Technology in Government are (1) to close the digital divide by expanding access to broadband in underserved communities of New York City, (2) to increase the strategic use of technology in government, thereby, increasing efficiency in government and enhancing the quality of public services, and (3) to promote the openness and transparency of government by making sure that public information is accessible to every New York City resident. Through its ability to hold oversight hearings over City agencies and introduce and hear legislation, the Committee on Technology in Government works to achieve its goals in partnership with the private, public and nonprofit sectors. More information about the Committee and the Chair of the Committee, Council Member Gale Brewer, can be found at the following link: http://nyccouncil.info/issues/committee.cfm?committee_id=106<sbdkey=5121. About One Economy Corporation One Economy Corporation is a national nonprofit that utilizes technology to help low-income people improve their standard of living. One Economy's strategy is to bring technology into the home, provide online multilingual content through The Beehive (http://www.thebeehive.org/) -- used by as many as half a million people each month -- and facilitate computer literacy. One Economy's national Bring IT Home campaign promotes state-level public policy change to make high-speed Internet connectivity a standard practice. More information about Bring IT Home and One Economy may be found at http://www.one-economy.com/. Contact: Angie Dobrowski 503.295.4493 x2 [email protected] Susan Sheehan 503.449.1666 [email protected] One Economy Corporation CONTACT: Angie Dobrowski, +1-503-295-4493, ext. 2, [email protected], orSusan Sheehan, +1-503-449-1666, [email protected], both for One EconomyCorporation Web site: http://www.thebeehive.org/ Web site: http://www.one-economy.com/ |