Boston Invests $12M+ In Laptops For Public Housing Residents, Improves Digital Equity

The city of Boston, MA is continuing its efforts to increase digital equity and inclusivity by investing more than $12M to bring laptops and connectivity to nearly 23,000 Boston public housing residents, library users, and school-age families. 

“All Boston residents should have high-speed internet to help access school, work, and stay connected with loved ones,” said mayor Michelle Wu. “I am incredibly grateful to senator Ed Markey and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel for funding the Emergency Connectivity Fund to address digital connectivity needs in Boston.”

The funding will provide free access to wireless broadband service and devices to help public housing seniors and residents get online. It will also provide $10m for Chromebook laptops and to support connectivity for 20,000 Boston Public Schools’ students and their families.  

The Boston Public Library (BPL) will receive $2.2M in Emergency Connectivity Funding (ECF) to acquire and distribute Chromebooks and home router wifi access for 3,000 BPL patrons in Boston Housing Authority’s communities. 

“Increasing equity and accessibility to essential educational resources remains a top priority for BPS,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius. “I am grateful to Mayor Wu for her continued commitment to our BPS students and educators, and for delivering on this $12 million investment to provide $400 per teacher and student. This funding will be used to integrate technology into the classroom and extend learning at home, moving us one step closer to closing the digital divide and providing greater opportunity and access to all of our students.”