Google Connects Public Housing at Gigabit Speeds

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA — Last year, Google Fiber partnered with ConnectHome, an initiative by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the White House, to accelerate Internet adoption by families with school-age children in public housing. Now Google has announced that it will be bringing gigabit Internet service to residents in all public housing properties that are connected with Google Fiber. Families in these properties will be able to access some of the fastest speeds, at no cost to the housing authority or to residents.

Working closely with the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Google has launched the program at West Bluff, the first property to receive gigabit Internet as a part of this program. All 100 homes have been wired with fiber, and families can sign up immediately to access the Internet at up to 1,000 Mbps. Also through local ConnectHome partners, such as Connecting for Good and Surplus Exchange, residents will be able to purchase discounted devices and learn new computer skills. Across Kansas City, we’re working with local affordable housing providers to connect up to nine properties, reaching more than 1,300 families in the metro area.

Google plans to bring gigabit Internet to select affordable housing in all its fiber cities, working with local providers to identify which properties will be connected across these markets.

New Investments in Computer Labs and Digital Literacy Classes
Finally, inspired by the early success of its work with the Housing Authority for the City of Austin, Google will be complementing this $0/month Internet service by working with local partners to make new investments in computer labs and digital literacy classes so residents learn the skills they need to get online.