New Grant Opportunity- Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP)

HUD has informed public housing authorities about an important grant opportunity to help provide broadband (high-speed Internet) to communities in need, including residents served by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs).



Ms. Sandra B. Henriquez, Assistant Secretary Public and Indian Housing said, "As more services related to government, employment, health, job training, and education are delivered online, access to broadband is becoming increasingly necessary." In response, she said, the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) is making funding available to connect unserved and underserved populations to this important infrastructure.



BTOP’s funding is made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to help advance the Administration’s goal of providing broadband access to all Americans. Most importantly to us in the public housing business, BTOP expressly recognizes that HUD and PHAs are already working with the communities, infrastructure (including Neighborhood Networks centers), and populations that the Administration is targeting. Applicants are encouraged to leverage other Recovery Act funding towards this Broadband project.



Accordingly, the NOFA encourages PHAs to apply in partnership with other public, private and not-for-profit programs that can help efficiently and effectively achieve program objectives.BTOP is being administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) at the Department of Commerce. The Program’s Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) announces three types of grants, two of which are directly applicable to Public Housing Authorities (PHAs.)



These are:Grants for Sustainable Broadband Projects:Sustainable Broadband Adoption grants are intended to fund innovative projects that promote broadband demand, such as projects focused on broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment or support, particularly among vulnerable populations. (See NOFA p. 33006-33007) The first of three Sustainable Broadband Adoption grant rounds will award $150 million in project support. (p. 33110) Grants for Public Computer Centers:Public Computer Center grants are intended to fund projects that provide broadband access to the general public or a specific vulnerable population, such as low-income, unemployed, seniors, children, minorities and people with disabilities.



The NOFA includes “Neighborhood Networks centers in public housing developments” as part of its definition of a public computer center. (See NOFA p. 33109) Projects must create or expand a public computer center meeting a specific public need for broadband service, including but not limited to education, employment, economic development, and enhanced service for health-care delivery, children, and vulnerable populations. (p. 33114) The first of three Public Computer Center grant rounds will award $50 million in project support. (p. 33110)



PHAs may wish to submit applications in partnership with organizations that possess expertise in information technology provision and training. This may include public, private and/or not-for-profit partners, all of which are eligible to apply.



Applications will be scored in part on whether they include organizations already receiving ARRA funds. This includes all PHAs that receive a HUD Capital Fund Recovery Grant. Application Information:Applications are being accepted from July 14-August 14. Electronic applications will be available on or about July 31.



Paper applications for grant requests of less than $1 million will be accepted. The NOFA and required application can be found at: http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/info_lib.htm. Workshops providing information about the application process are being offered through July only. To find a workshop in your area and to register, please go to: http://broadbandusa.sc.egov.usda.gov/workshop.htm. Finally, applicants may wish to contact their state’s Governor’s office which NTIA will consult as part of the grant review process to determine each state’s priority areas. (See NOFA, p. 33107)



For additional information please contact:The Broadband Technology Opportunities Program1401 Constitution Ave, NW Washington, DC 20230 Tel. 202-482-2048 Email: btop@ntia.doc.gov



She said she encourages PHAs to apply for BTOP support.



Publishers note: If your housing authority is in need of assistance writing for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, contact two of the most successful public housing community technology and Neighborhood Networks grant writers, Mr. Erol Shorter at: besknd@aol.com or Mr. Rock at: Principal.CoreSynergyGroup@gmail.com

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