New York's digital divide is a problem. Mandating broadband could solve it | Opinion

The near-universal switch to a virtual existence brought on by the pandemic exposed New Yorkers to a host of internet woes, as overloaded networks let to intermittent service, slow load times, and outages. But what was a new and frustrating experience for many was nothing new for far too many residents across New York. Long before the COVID-19 crisis, New York had a significant digital divide, and those lacking connectivity are predominantly lower income individuals of color.  

The affordable housing industry is working to close this gap by establishing a blueprint that makes connectivity the rule in new construction, facilitates broadband installation or upgrades in existing buildings and provides affordable internet access to low-income families. It is a blueprint that should be followed across the state.

We were encouraged to see Rep. Jamaal Bowman spearhead a new effort in Congress that would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development to classify broadband as a utility in all government-assisted housing. This would be a critical step that would provide millions of households with the connectivity they desperately need to succeed.

Broadband is essential: without reliable internet access, New Yorkers can’t conduct a job search, attend classes or a government meeting, participate in a telehealth visit with a doctor or mental health professional, or even make an appointment to get a COVID vaccine.

Bowman’s home county of Westchester is a case study in how disparities in connectivity play out. In the county’s third-largest city, Mount Vernon, which is 82% Black and Latino, nearly 30% of households lack internet access at home.

While Mount Vernon is the most extreme example, there is a comparable problem in New Rochelle, Port Chester and Yonkers — all communities with high concentrations of residents of color. In nearby Scarsdale, however, where 80% of residents are white, just 2.4% of households lack a home internet connection.

Westchester is not alone: one in five metropolitan households in New York do not have high-speed internet. This is an emergency that extends far beyond the Empire State — a fact recently recognized by the Biden administration, which included $7 billion for broadband initiatives in the latest stimulus package.

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Classifying broadband as a utility is one way to help solve this problem. It is a straightforward and logical fix. Residents living in affordable housing already get a rental allowance for essential utilities like water, electricity and heat. By adding broadband to the calculation, we can provide high-speed internet more quickly and cost-effectively to those who need it most.

But we can and should do more. We need a comprehensive and holistic approach to assure universal connectivity.

The affordable housing industry is already leveraging economies of scale by negotiating building-wide purchasing agreements to drive down the cost of service for all residents, regardless of income. We are urging electing officials to require broadband infrastructure capable of providing speeds of at least 100 mpbs in all new affordable construction. And we are engaging with a broad consortium of experts and practitioners — including service providers, advocates and elected officials — to generate new programs to improve access.

What we need is a truly collaborative approach. Providing affordable, high-quality connectivity to all new and rehabilitated affordable buildings is a challenge, and it might increase overall project costs in the short term, but it can and must be done. Affordable housing should be a key component to a lifetime of safety, security and success. Broadband service is essential to delivering on this goal.

If we are bold enough to act now, we can make New York a national leader in closing the digital divide and get one step closer to building a nation where every household has access to the high-speed internet they need and deserve.

Jolie Milstein is the president and CEO of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing.