Bill Overview
Title: Home Internet Accessibility Act
Description: This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on broadband internet capacity in housing that is supported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or the Department of Agriculture. In its report, the GAO must identify such housing that lacks broadband capacity and estimate the costs and time frame necessary to provide broadband capacity in such housing. Additionally, HUD must develop a plan for retrofitting such housing to provide the capacity for broadband internet.
Sponsors: Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Target Audience
Population: People living in HUD or Department of Agriculture-supported housing lacking broadband capacity
Estimated Size: 6500000
- The bill focuses on housing supported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or the Department of Agriculture, which often includes low-income families and individuals.
- Individuals residing in rural areas are more likely to rely on housing supported by the Department of Agriculture.
- The bill addresses the need for broadband internet, which is a critical utility for accessing educational, health, and job resources in modern society.
- There are approximately 2.2 million HUD-assisted households in the United States, indicating a significant number of people residing in these homes.
- Rural housing supported by the Department of Agriculture also shelters a substantial number of families, many of whom lack sufficient broadband access currently.
Reasoning
- The policy is likely to have a varied impact across different demographics residing in HUD or Department of Agriculture-supported housing.
- Target populations include lower-income families, rural inhabitants, and individuals relying on federally supported housing without current broadband access.
- Given budget constraints, the initial focus may prioritize areas with the greatest broadband deficiencies, potentially influencing the policy's impact on different individuals.
- The inclusion of technology accessibility in housing may improve access to education, job opportunities, and healthcare services, therefore affecting self-reported wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Farmer (Rural Iowa)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have struggled with unreliable internet access, so this policy sounds promising.
- Having reliable internet would help my kids with their homework and possibly allow me to explore online markets for our produce.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired (Suburban Texas)
Age: 67 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Broadband access hasn't been a top priority for me, but I've seen others struggle without it.
- With internet, I could assist more with community projects, possibly benefiting others.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Student (Urban California)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Fast, reliable internet is crucial for my studies and daily online activities.
- I hope the policy prioritizes high-speed connections to truly make a difference.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Unemployed (Urban New York)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reliable internet is essential for job applications and training.
- This policy could be a game changer if it brings better connectivity to my building.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Part-time worker (Rural Ohio)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm often stuck with slow internet, which is frustrating for schoolwork.
- Better internet could help me finish my coursework faster and explore more online resources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Elementary School Teacher (Rural Georgia)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Decent internet at home would allow me to do more online prep for my classes.
- I see a lot of students miss out due to poor internet at home; better access could help them too.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Disabled (Urban Florida)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improving internet access would ease my access to medical services.
- Currently, I often have connectivity issues during telehealth appointments.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Office Manager (Suburban Alabama)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to reliable internet would be a huge relief for remote working and online schooling.
- Currently, juggling work and helping my child with schoolwork is challenging due to poor connectivity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Truck Driver (Rural Mississippi)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Broadband would make life easier for training and entertainment during downtime.
- My family here doesn't have decent internet, so this policy could be very beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Construction Worker (Suburban Pennsylvania)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With better internet, I could take online courses to improve my skills.
- Hopefully, this policy can make a difference soon.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $7000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $9000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 5: $3000000 (Low: $1500000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $2000000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The upfront cost of identifying and mapping broadband accessibility in supported housing.
- Costs associated with HUD developing a detailed retrofitting plan.
- Potential for longer-term savings due to increased internet access leading to improved outcomes in education and employment.