# What the Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act Does

This bill makes a straightforward change to how public housing works: it allows internet service costs to be included in the utility allowances that public housing residents receive. Right now, utility allowances typically cover things like electricity, gas, and water, but not internet. This bill says that high-speed internet should be treated the same way as other utilities for families living in public housing who have school-age children.

Here's who this actually helps and how it works. If you live in public housing and have kids who qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches, the government would now help cover your internet bill as part of your housing assistance. The bill caps this help at the lowest internet price available in your area, so it's not paying for premium services—just basic, affordable high-speed internet. The allowance also covers the cost of equipment you need to connect and a one-time installation fee. This matters because without internet at home, students struggle to do homework, access online learning resources, and participate in school activities that increasingly require digital access.

The bill includes some important protections and flexibility. Families can still choose to pay extra for faster internet or bundle internet with cable or phone service if they want—the government assistance just covers the basic option. Internet providers also have to provide technology that blocks adult content to protect children. The bill only applies to households with children who qualify for free and reduced lunches, meaning it targets families with the most financial need. Essentially, this is about removing a barrier that keeps low-income students from having the same educational opportunities as their peers who have internet at home.

Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act of 2024

Foster, Bill

Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act of 2024This bill expands the public housing utility allowance for households with children who qualify for free and reduced price school lunch to include the cost of high-speed internet service, including the cost of renting or purchasing equipment necessary to access such service and a one-time installation fee.