Complementary Wi-Fi access extended to more than 2,000 residences in New York City through an innovative trial initiative
New York City Launches Liberty Link Program to Provide Affordable Internet to Residents
New York City has announced a new pilot program called "Liberty Link," which aims to provide free or low-cost high-speed Wi-Fi to income-eligible New Yorkers living in Section 8 and other affordable housing buildings.
The program is a collaboration between NYC’s Department of Housing and the New York Public Library (NYPL), which will install fiber internet and Wi-Fi infrastructure building-wide. The pilot focuses on residents in Section 8 and other affordable housing developments, a significant expansion beyond the public housing residents served by the prior ‘Big Apple Connect’ program.
The program is funded with over $3 million by the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and will run for three years. During this period, different technologies and delivery models will be tested to optimize a potential citywide rollout.
Liberty Link will provide access to high-quality, high-speed Wi-Fi at no or very low cost. Complementing this service, neighborhood tech help programs offering free one-on-one digital literacy services will ensure residents not only have access but also know how to use the internet effectively.
Initial installations are slated to begin by the end of 2022, starting in the Bronx. The program will cover about 2,200 households across 35 affordable housing buildings in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan, with plans to expand citywide if successful.
To be eligible for the program, residents must live in Section 8 or other affordable housing buildings within the designated pilot areas (Bronx and Upper Manhattan for now). No explicit income limits beyond the affordable housing eligibility are detailed in the available information; eligibility aligns with existing affordable housing qualifications, meaning residents must already qualify for subsidized housing programs such as Section 8 or comparable affordable housing developments administered by NYC.
Mayor Eric Adams stated that the program will help more working-class New Yorkers save money on this vital service, putting money back in the pockets of working families and making New York a more affordable city for them. Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Adolfo Carrión Jr. stated that access to reliable high-speed internet is a fundamental need in today's world and that the program aims to bridge the digital divide.
For more details about Liberty Link, visit the City's website. The program is part of Mayor Adams' broader efforts to make New York a more equitable and connected city.
Feverish residents living in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan can now enhance their digital lifestyles, as they become eligible for Liberty Link, a program that providers affordable high-speed internet access. To make the most of this technology, complementing digital literacy services will be offered to help residents effectively utilize the internet.
