Empire State Development Announces Up To $20 Million Investment To Expand Internet Access For Homeless Shelter Residents Across New York State

Partnership of ConnectALL, OTDA, and DPS Will Deliver Free Wi-Fi Service to Support Pathways Out of Homelessness

Empire State Development (ESD) today announced a commitment of up to $20 million to bring reliable, high-quality internet access to New Yorkers residing in homeless shelters statewide. ESD's ConnectALL Office will lead the initiative and provide $17 million for the initial installation in coordination with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), with an additional $3 million of in-kind investment secured by the New York State Public Service Commission. Funding will support broadband infrastructure installation in shelters across the state with ongoing service eligible for reimbursement as an essential service for shelter occupants.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "Expanding broadband access is essential to unlocking economic opportunity for all New Yorkers. Through ConnectALL, we are ensuring that individuals and families in temporary housing are not left behind in an increasingly digital world. This initiative will equip residents with the connectivity, tools, and training they need to pursue education, employment, and economic mobility."

Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Barbara C. Guinn said, "Access to a fast, reliable internet connection is of great value for families and individuals temporarily residing in a homeless shelter and we are grateful to Governor Hochul and our state partners for expanding this access. Connection to internet service will help children complete school assignments and support residents' efforts to seek employment, permanent housing, and carry out daily life activities."

Public Service Commission Chair and Department of Public Service CEO Rory Christian said, "In an increasingly digital economy, online access is critical to ensuring that opportunities supporting new beginnings for populations facing hardship and instability are within reach. Connectivity also ensures that vulnerable populations can remain in communication with loved ones. The Public Service Commission is proud to facilitate funding - secured through the Commission's review of the transaction between Charter Communications Inc. and Cox Enterprises Inc. - that expands infrastructure supporting these essential services and represents meaningful progress toward closing the digital divide."

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, "I've worked for years with impacted New Yorkers and VocalNY to advocate for broadband internet connection in homeless shelters and temporary housing across the State. Unhoused New Yorkers need and deserve internet access to keep up with our increasingly digital world. Applying for jobs and housing, completing school work, and connecting with social services all require reliable internet connection. This $20 million investment in broadband infrastructure at shelters is a monumental step toward digital equity in New York. I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul, Empire State Development, the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance, and the Public Service Commission for making this a reality."

Assemblymember Steve Otis said, "Congratulations to Governor Hochul and our State Agency Leaders in identifying funding to wire our homeless shelters for internet access and for the ongoing commitment to provide ongoing support to assist addressing the individual needs of families who find themselves without housing. The NYS ConnectALL office has been a nationwide leader in expanding broadband infrastructure. Providing access in homeless shelters provides one of the needed steps towards fulfilling our NYS Digital Equity Plan. This announcement commits to education and training to assist families in need."

The initiative will fund key infrastructure improvements at participating shelter facilities, including building connections, installation of Wi-Fi routers and networking equipment, and internal wiring to ensure high-quality service. OTDA will determine shelter eligibility for participation, while ConnectALL will establish technical standards based on an initial assessment of existing connectivity. ConnectALL will also connect residents to education programs and other resources to access jobs, housing, education, healthcare, and other critical services and will assess the need for dedicated resources.

The shift to digital platforms accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic has made internet access increasingly critical to daily life. Without reliable connectivity, individuals experiencing homelessness often cannot apply for jobs or housing, access government benefits, attend telehealth appointments, or participate in virtual court proceedings. This initiative addresses those barriers directly, building on New York State's broader commitment to closing the digital divide - particularly for communities disproportionately impacted by homelessness - and helping residents take meaningful steps toward permanent housing and long-term self-sufficiency.

Expanding New York's Digital Infrastructure

Governor Hochul has made expanding broadband access a cornerstone of her administration's efforts to create a more equitable and affordable New York. Through the ConnectALL initiative, New York State is investing more than $1 billion to transform the state's digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers, and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. To date, ConnectALL has overseen the successful launch and implementation of several programs to advance broadband access, including:

The Municipal Infrastructure Program has funded more than $268 million to support construction of open access municipal broadband networks across the state. The program, primarily funded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under the American Rescue Plan's Capital Projects fund, facilitates a variety of models of municipal broadband and public-private partnerships to provide New Yorkers with affordable, high-quality service options. The Beta ConnectALL Projects Dashboard provides details on projects funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Program.

The Digital Equity Program is a plan to invest $50 million to close the digital divide. The Plan outlines New York's statewide strategy to increase its capacity to improve digital literacy and digital job readiness skills, facilitate access to affordable internet and devices, enhance digital privacy and safety, and make government services more accessible through the internet.

The Affordable Housing Connectivity Program will fund $100 million to bring new broadband infrastructure to homes in affordable and public housing, leveraging a $33 million federal investment from the U.S. Treasury Department's Capital Projects Fund. The Beta ConnectALL Projects Dashboard provides details on projects funded by the Affordable Housing Connectivity Program.

The ConnectALL Deployment Program will provide funding for internet service providers to reach unserved and underserved locations, drawing on an allocation of $644.6 million in federal funding as described in the ConnectALL Broadband Deployment Final Proposal. ConnectALL submitted its proposed awards to the U.S. Department of Commerce in September 2025; the Department approved the awards in January 2026.

The Connectivity Innovation Program advances innovation and new broadband solutions, business models, and technologies to increase private sector investment and entrepreneurship; drive equity and innovation in the broadband marketplace; and reinforce a thriving research, development, and manufacturing ecosystem to support connectivity innovation in New York.

The Regional and Local Assistance Program provides grant funding to local governments, counties, municipalities, Tribal Governments, and other government entities to plan and implement broadband or wireless deployment and digital equity projects and programs, and other efforts consistent with the ConnectALL mandate. The program provides grants or technical assistance to eligible applicants for program funding to include non-capital resources, technical assistance and planning which could include feasibility studies or digital equity research, identifying areas in need of internet service or new investments in broadband, or the development of financing for broadband facilities.

The Excelsior Broadband Network is a new statewide public broadband network. The first component of this project will be a new fiber line running the full length of the New York Thruway which will connect public broadband assets across the state and improve access to consistent high-speed internet and reliable cell phone service for communities across the state.

The Mobile Service Connectivity initiative will work with local stakeholders, state agencies, and industry to develop regional plans to expand cellular coverage across the state. The program will identify top opportunities to expand coverage and provide funding to deploy innovative, scalable solutions that can address gaps in wireless cellular coverage.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York's chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state's 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state's world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

Contact:
ESD Press Office | [email protected] | (800) 260-7313