Access to affordable and reliable internet has become an essential utility, yet millions of affordable housing residents remain unconnected. Committed to fostering digital equity across the state, Massachusetts has embarked on groundbreaking efforts to bridge the digital divide in public and affordable housing. Urban Edge and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) initiated their neighborhood Wi-Fi program by funding MDU connectivity. Through this collaboration, the state is advancing cost-effective, high-quality, and sustainable solutions for its residents, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.
Early Piloting
Urban Edge, a national leader in affordable housing and community development, and MAPC, a regional planning agency serving the people of Metropolitan Boston, initially collaborated to address the connectivity gap in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain. This project focused on the corridor connecting Egleston Square and Jackson Square, covering approximately 50 properties and 900 units within Urban Edge’s portfolio. It also extends support to other community development corporations in the area.
Since 2022, EducationSuperHighway has proudly partnered with both organizations to provide critical technical and project support. Our contributions include:
Supporting network management and ensuring the long-term sustainability of solutions.
- Reviewing vendor proposals and network designs.
- Participating in vendor interviews.
- Benchmarking equipment and analyzing total cost of ownership.
- Providing procurement guidance and templates for RFIs and RFQs.
Statewide Initiatives Driving Digital Equity
Massachusetts is enhancing internet access through the Apartment Wi-Fi and Residential Retrofit programs, which aim to promote long-term digital equity. These initiatives are designed to connect affordable housing communities that need it most and provide them with reliable internet access. By investing in these programs, the state is taking significant steps toward bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all residents can participate in the digital economy.
Apartment Wi-Fi | Residential Retrofit |
About: Piloted in Greater Boston in 2023 and expanded statewide with a grant from the Massachusetts Broadband Institute’s (MBI) Digital Equity Partnerships program. Impact: The first cohort includes 1,827 units across multiple areas: Boston (884 units), Somerville (455 units), Lynn (183 units), North Adams Housing Authority sites (305 units). | About: Launched in March 2024 with $22 million allocated from the U.S. Treasury’s Capital Projects Fund (CPF) under the American Rescue Plan Act. Goal: Upgrades to approximately 22,000 units in affordable housing developments statewide. Impact: As of December 2024, over $6.3 million has been granted to upgrade internet infrastructure in 3,512 units across nine communities. |
Maximizing Funding Opportunities
The Residential Retrofit Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Treasury Capital Projects Fund (CPF) grant. This $10 billion nationwide initiative supports critical infrastructure projects that enable work, education, and healthcare, with a significant focus on expanding broadband access to underserved communities. In Massachusetts, CPF funding has allowed for targeted investments in affordable housing developments, focusing on areas where high-speed internet can have the most meaningful impact.
The program’s flexibility supports projects like the Residential Retrofit Program, which upgrades infrastructure in thousands of affordable housing units, ensuring long-term connectivity. Allocating CPF funding provides a sustainable framework for closing the digital divide by addressing immediate and future connectivity needs.
Collaboration to Amplify Impact
The success of Massachusetts’ Apartment Wi-Fi and Residential Retrofit programs highlights the impact of collaborative efforts to bridge the digital divide. The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) have partnered with Urban Edge, local governments, and housing providers to deliver reliable internet access to thousands of residents. These partnerships have combined state-level leadership with local expertise, creating a model for effective digital equity initiatives.
EducationSuperHighway has been proud to contribute to these efforts, providing technical guidance, project implementation support, and tailored resources to help ensure success. By focusing on shared goals and leveraging the strengths of diverse stakeholders, these programs exemplify how thoughtful collaboration can address connectivity gaps and empower communities.
Contact us to learn more about how the MDU Community Connect Program can help close the digital divide in your area.
About Massachusetts Broadband Institute
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, works to expand high-speed internet access across the Commonwealth. Using state and federal funds, MBI supports infrastructure programs for underserved areas and digital equity initiatives that address affordability, public Wi-Fi, device access, and digital literacy.