The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published a new guide that outlines how to best spend $45 billion of Federal broadband funding being directed to underserved communities.
The new guide outlines how housing authorities, multifamily unit owners and other local organizations can best utilize the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act (DEA) program.
“This guide will also provide tips for engaging with state broadband leaders during the planning process – a necessary step in ensuring your community’s needs get full consideration during this historic time,” the guide says.
Both programs are geared towards helping local leaders better understand the programs, as well as understanding the associated five-year action plan requirements.
“Among other requirements, the Action Plan must also identify digital equity and inclusion needs, goals, and implementation strategies, including ways in which the States and Territories plan to utilize IIJA grant funding and/or other funding streams in concert to remedy inequities and barriers to inclusion,” states the guide.
The new funding programs are part of $45 billion in Federal funding being distributed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) through multiple notices of funding opportunities.
