FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks Visits CHA Residents and Staff

Last week, FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks visited CHA residents and staff to hear more about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program which offers discounted internet service to eligible households. In 2023, CHA held nearly 75 events to enroll families in the ACP. That outreach resulted in approximately 1,800 new households enrolling in the program. 

Lincoln Perry resident Jerry Hunter shared his experience: “I got my first computer in August and I just finished a 5-week computer program through AARP...Because I have a computer and wifi in my own apartment, I could access the class through Zoom…I just recently reapplied for my health benefits. You’re getting tons of phone calls during the open enrollment period, but a lot of that has to be done online. This is a very needed program.”

Starks visited CHA as part of a nationwide tour to highlight the benefits of the ACP. Funding for the program is expiring this winter and the FCC is no longer accepting applications for new enrollment. After the ACP funds run out (projected in April 2024) households participating in the program will no longer receive the discounts. CHA joins other affordable housing providers nationwide in strongly encouraging Congress to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program.