Broadband for low-income users?
A group of US technology companies and nonprofit organizations wants builders of low-income housing to include broadband Internet connections in new building projects.
Called Bring IT Home, the campaign would put incentives into America’s national Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which helps fund $6 billion worth of low-income housing each year, says an IDG News Service story here.
The LIHTC program, funded by the federal government and administered by states, provides tax credits to encourage private investment in low-income housing projects, it says, going on:
"Bring IT Home is encouraging states to require high-speed Internet connections in LIHTC housing, and to include the cost of broadband in the subsidized-housing operating budgets. So far, 12 states have changed LIHTC rules to encourage broadband connections, but One Economy officials say they hope all 50 states will participate."
Housing authorities and other nonprofit groups in eight cities also support the program, adds IDG.
February 3rd, 2004 at 7:24 pm
why should low income housung get broad band when most are on welfare? myself and alot of other poor working class people would have to pay. to hell with the low income or welfare people they already get enough from society for free!!!!!!!!!!
February 4th, 2004 at 2:18 am
I think they should have access to the internet but broadband is rediculous. The donating companies could allow more households via dial-up. What the hell is wrong with people!!!
February 6th, 2004 at 1:52 am
Now that would REALLY suck !! Here I am barely making enough to get by in life to give my family some of the nice things that the rich people have and they want to give broadband to the welfare and crack houses. That’s bullshit ! It’s bad enough that I myself a low middle income family always get stiffed when they hand out things for free. Not being rich and getting everything with loopholes or poor enough and getting everything handed to you for free. What the hell would they do with broadband ? If they are THAT poor, how can they afford a computer anyways ?!! Mom workin the corners or having the kids sell dope at school. How about some stuff for us “working class” people who have to actully work for a living. and this is is your goverment at work. It really does suck !!
February 6th, 2004 at 9:25 pm
They’ll probably get the compter for free. They don’t want to give free broadband to anyone else, because then the cable, and phone companies wouldn’t be able to sell it. They are only willing to give it free to people who they are sure are too poor to afford paying for it.
February 12th, 2004 at 1:43 am
Oh, how nice of them. (/sarcasm) What about the rest of us who can’t afford AUS$60/month for capped broadband? Hmmm?