CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org 

WIFI4HOMELESS CAMPAIGN APPLAUDS EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION TO GUARANTEE INTERNET ACCESS OR ALL SHELTER RESIDENTS

ALBANY, N.Y. — Today, the Empire State Development agency announced an investment of up to $20 million to bring internet access to homeless shelters, in a partnership between the ConnectALL office, the Office of Temporary Disability Assistance, and the Department of Public Service. We applaud Governor Hochul and these agencies for recognizing connectivity as essential infrastructure for New Yorkers experiencing homelessness — and call on the Legislature to build on this momentum by passing the WiFi for Homeless bill (A.1755 / S.8026), sponsored by Senator Kristen Gonzalez and Assemblymember Karines Reyes. 

While we celebrate this investment, the announcement leaves critical questions unanswered: which shelters will be covered, on what timeline, and to what standard. State funding alone — without a legislative mandate — cannot guarantee that every shelter resident has access to reliable, fast, and privacy-preserving internet. The Wifi for Homeless bill would close that gap by establishing enforceable statewide standards and coverage requirements.

“I’ve worked for years with impacted New Yorkers, VocalNY, NYC Bar Association, and the Coalition for the Homeless 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.” said State Senator Kristin Gonzalez .

“Temporary housing should never mean temporary disconnection from opportunity. Internet access is as essential as heat, water, and electricity, and today, New York took a meaningful step toward recognizing that. But investment without mandate leaves too many people behind,” said Assemblymember Karines Reyes, R.N., “My bill, A.1755, builds on this momentum by closing that gap, and enshrining in law what every shelter resident deserves: a guaranteed, privacy-protecting connection to the housing, employment, healthcare, and community resources that make a real path forward possible. I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment, and I urge my colleagues to match it. Pass A.1755, because digital equity cannot be optional.”

“Access to WiFi for homeless New Yorkers is a lifeline. Without it, people can be cut off from permanent housing opportunities, jobs, medical resources, community connections and more. This funding announcement is an extremely important step towards our goal of internet access in all shelters. To make the access meaningful, it must be broad, secure, and fast— which the legislature can ensure by passing A.1755 / S.8026.” attributable to the VOCAL-NY Homelessness Union.

“We commend Governor Hochul and the Empire State Development Corporation for making this crucial investment in infrastructure to expand access to WiFi service in shelters. Internet access is a necessity for people sleeping in shelters – for apartment searches, accessing and maintaining benefits, medical care, or simply staying connected to friends and family. We look forward to continued work with our legislative partners to pass A.1755 / S.8026 and ensure that this funding commitment results in universal access to a reliable connection, while protecting resident’s private information.” said Alison Wilkey, Director of Government Affairs and Strategic Campaigns at the Coalition for the Homeless. 

“New York’s hearty investment in internet access across our state’s homeless shelters will help close the digital divide for residents and open the door to life-changing healthcare, education, employment, and housing opportunities,” said Daniel Schwarz, Senior Privacy and Technology Strategist at the NYCLU. “With this funding, Albany has set the foundation — and now we need the mandate for internet across all shelters with robust protections against surveillance and censorship. We urge lawmakers to pass A.1755 / S.8026 immediately to ensure every person in temporary housing has access to reliable, privacy-preserving, and high-speed internet.” 

“Governor Hochul’s commitment to bringing internet access to shelter residents is a meaningful step forward and a powerful signal that New York is serious about closing the digital divide for all New Yorkers. A.1755 / S.8026 will build on this momentum by enshrining these commitments in law, with clear standards to ensure shelter residents get reliable, privacy-protecting internet access. We urge the Legislature to pass this critical bill and ensure every shelter resident has the connectivity they need to fully participate in daily life.”  said Elizabeth Kocienda, Director of Advocacy for the New York City Bar Association.  

BACKGROUND:

In March 2026, an average of 98,671 people slept each night in the NYC municipal shelter system. In the rest of New York State, there were 15,175 people sleeping in shelters on any given night in 2023. State regulations do not require internet access be provided to shelter residents, which makes it difficult for shelter residents to participate in daily life tasks. This legislation requires temporary housing across the state to provide residents with internet access, and mandates crucial speed, net-neutrality, and privacy provisions.

Internet access is an essential tool that could shorten residents’ stays and facilitate their successful exit into stable housing. Without reliable internet access, people living in shelters face significant obstacles in completing important tasks such as finding permanent housing and jobs, participating in remote schooling, securing public assistance benefits, and receiving medical care. As noted in VOCAL-NY’s 2025 Wi-Fi for All report, without this internet provision requirement in shelters, many residents have also faced unaffordable phone bills, discrimination, and concerns of surveillance.

For more information, visit the Wifi4Homeless campaign page.

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