Posted on 08/08/2005 1:14:09 PM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
Efforts to close the technological gap between America's haves and have-nots will get a boost this week. Access at Home, a $1 billion initiative that will build more than 15,000 affordable homes with high-speed digital internet connectivity and provide low-income families personal access to computers and technology services. The initiative expects to connect nearly 100,000 people to the vast advantage of the internet.
Three companies, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), its subsidiary the National Equity Fund (NEF), and One Economy will be joined by U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), former Treasury secretary and LISC chairman Robert E. Rubin, and other local and national dignitaries to unveil the initiative for low-income families and communities in New York and across the country on August 8, 2005.
"Today, one of the greatest catalysts for fostering economic opportunity and opening up new markets is the internet, but for too many people, the digital divide is still too wide. All New Yorkers -- from the Bronx to Buffalo and beyond -- need to be wired with next-generation broadband technology in order to succeed in the global marketplace," said Sen. Hillary Clinton, who is working with LISC/NEF and One Economy to help expand broadband access into communities throughout New York State. "With access at home, LISC/NEF and One Economy will help bring the power of technology into thousands of households so that every family can have the tools for success in today's technology-rich economy."
Despite an overall increase in the number of U.S. households with computers and/or internet access, low-income Americans remain significantly less likely to be online than middle- or high- income households. In fact, Americans earning less than $30,000 a year comprise only 18 percent of internet users, despite comprising 28 percent of the population. Low-income youth are especially hard hit, being eight times less likely to use computers at home as children in families earning $75,000 or more.
"Americans today live and work as members of the global economy -- and technology is our connective tissue," noted Robert E. Rubin. "The launch of access at home can play a key role in ensuring that our low-income communities and neighbors are able to participate in this technological revolution."
The US Department of Commerce estimates that 95 percent of new jobs created will require significant computer skills. According to projections from the US Labor Department, eight of the ten fastest-growing jobs in the period 2000-2010 are computer-related. Unfamiliarity with technology can actually bar people from the doors of their would-be workplaces: of the 92 percent of Fortune 500 companies that used corporate websites for active job recruitment in 2003, one-third did not give job seekers the option of applying for jobs offline.
"The digital divide still runs deep in America, leaving far too many families out of the personal and economic opportunities technology provides," stated Michael Rubinger, president and CEO of LISC. "At the same time, a dearth of well-maintained affordable housing severely compromises the strength of families and neighborhoods. For these reasons, LISC/NEF looks for innovative ways to stabilize communities while providing them the tools they need to compete in the 21st century."
Access at home will develop over 15,000 affordable rental homes and apartments in communities across the country, including 3,000 units in New York State, over the next five years. Residents in each of these properties will have high-speed digital access and a package of internet related services from One Economy, including computer purchase vouchers, computer training for residents, and a community-specific "Beehive," a website sponsored by One Economy that provides information about personal finance, health, schools, jobs, childcare, and other services.
The $1 billion financing package for access at home includes both low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) investments from NEF and grants and loans from LISC. Organizations already lending their support to access at home include Citigroup, Washington Mutual, Deutsche Bank, and Cisco Systems, Inc. Approximately $200 million of the $1 billion access at home package will be invested in New York State communities.
"The quintessential American Dream remains strong today, but the means with which we reach it have changed," said Rey Ramsey, president and CEO of One Economy. "Instead of the traditional encyclopedia or classroom, the vehicles for advancement are a computer and high-speed digital internet access. With help from our friends and allies in the housing, financial, and technology fields, access at home will help low-income Americans turn their dreams into reality."
Oh for goodness sake. We have more private homeownership in this country than ever before and Hillary wants the government to get involved in low income housing? Give me a break.
Betting a lot of them will simply use it to download music or movies.
I still want a free pony.
Why not stay home and play games?
There goes the budget deficit thru the roof!
Why do you think that they are "low-income" families? I think it is because they are losers.
The internet isn't going to make them magical high income families.
That comes from a good education, hard work, good parents, blind stinkin luck, perseverence, God, etc.
It ain't gonna come from congress!
And .. then scream about the DEFICIT!!
I don't have a friggin helicopter because I can't afford one. Where is my government handout? I want my helicopter - NOW! waaah waaah, waaah.
I wonder who came up with this one? It's likely to get her more than a few votes, and probably won't cost her any unless it blows up for some reason.
Or they could just go the public library and use the online access our tax dollars already pay for.
Of course she does. She's in the pre-presidential-bid-give-other-peoples-money-away mode.
Besides that, she's a damn communist that believes in redistribution of wealth.
The "digital divide" is a lib'ral myth. Just another vote-getting scam courtesy of the US Gub'mint.
Dial up internet service - $5 a month.
There is no digital devide, people just make different priorities than having a computer.
Increase spending, tax the Internet, create FCC regulations to bail the media...
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Yes, she is so obvious it is pathetic and scary. She is Miss Socialism and Liberalism, bar none. She will work to suppress every freedom that would suppress and control her hard socialist power -- namely the CONSTITUTION, the MEDIA, the INTERNET, the EDUCATION SYSTEMS, the MILITARY, and every conservative organization.
She is evil, ruthless and power-mad beyond belief. Her entire embodiment is power and control AT ANY EXPENSE TO ANYONE IN ANY MANNER. I still recommend reading THE TRUTH ABOUT HILLARY for anyone who has not...
Just trying to turn another luxury into a perceived fundamental necessity. Sad.
No kiddin! When I was a kid I got most of my books from the library. And, as you so succinctly pointed out, it's already paid for!
I'm strongly inclined to think it's not such a good idea to hook everyone up to the 'net anyway. As others have already suggested, many (most?) would waste their time downloading music, video and playing games.
Have them go outside to play! Vitamin D is good for you.
ok.. so they are "wired" for the internet... then they will need computers... then the computers will be sold for pennies on the dolar to finace their crack habit
Just like previous 'projects' They would steal the copper plumbing for a couple of dollars.
My cousins neighborhood died froma 'project' put in across the street. The filth was incredible after only a few short months. Crime soard. The places were gutted for the copper and anyhting else they could sell.
After 20 years they tore them down. I calculated the total cost and found they could have bought every person who ever lived there a $200,000 home. 4 times the average selling price of a GOOD home in the same area.
No kiddin! When I was a kid I got most of my books from the library. And, as you so succinctly pointed out, it's already paid for!
I'm strongly inclined to think it's not such a good idea to hook everyone up to the 'net anyway. As others have already suggested, many (most?) would waste their time downloading music, video and playing games.
Have them go outside to play! Vitamin D is good for you.
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