News

Nov 30, 2022

Akron, OH — Community Action Akron Summit in partnership with The Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), is launching a Hotspot Lending Program available to qualifying residents in public housing. This program will provide 1,000 hotspots through a lending library managed by AMHA connecting up to 15 devices within one household. This program will provide free in home high- speed access for the whole family. Because this is a lending program, more than 1,000 low-income residents in Summit County will gain access through this program. Community Action Akron Summit contributed $120,000 through the CSBG CARES grant for data communications to support service delivery of the program while AMHA purchased the devices.

“Bridging the digital divide in our community for low-income families in Summit County and reaching equality in online learning has been a primary goal in promoting self-sufficiency in the community that we serve”, stated Malcolm J. Costa, Community Action Akron Summit President and CEO. “With the use of more and more technology, the digital divide increases and continues to exacerbate socioeconomic disparities for underserved populations”.

“We are proud to work with an organization who shares in AMHA’s vision of bridging the digital divide in our community,” says Herman Hill, AMHA’s Executive Director. “This is an exciting opportunity to provide residents with resources that promote self-sufficiency and individual growth.”

In this initial launch, the program has been rolled out to residents living in the Summit Lake neighborhood, but soon will be followed by additional identified family developments, senior buildings, and single-family homes owned and managed by AMHA. Distribution events for Summit Lake residents will be held on Wednesday, December 7 from 4:00 - 6:00pm and Thursday, December 8 from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at the Summit Lake Apartments Community Room (9 Plato Lane, Akron). Additional distribution events for the other locations will be determined at a later date.

“We are pleased to partner with Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) in providing in home high-speed access for low-income families, as doing so aids in the elimination of the division and inequality around access to information and resources”, stated Costa.

Community Action Akron Summit strives to reduce poverty and promote self-sufficiency. Community Action Akron Summit is a private non-profit corporation operating various programs that assist Summit County residents to become self-sufficient. These programs include: Head Start/Early Head Start, The Foster Grandparent Program, Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Pathways HUB, Home Relief, Low-income Water Assistance) LIHWAP), and the Akron Summit Earned Income Tax Credit Program (EITC).

The Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) provides quality, affordable housing and services as a platform to develop people, property and community. AMHA is an Affordable Housing Accredited agency and is nationally recognized as a high performing agency for the development of innovative programs, such as this one, for public housing residents. ConnectHome is a testament to their passion of providing “more than just housing”, to provide residents the opportunity to reach their goals and thrive. For more information on the ConnectHome Akron initiative, visit www.connecthomeakron.org.