CONTACT: Joe Loonam, joseph@vocal-ny.org, (347-409-4650)

SENATE CONTINUES TO LEAD ON FIGHT TO EXPAND #WIFI4HOMELESS AFTER BILL PASSES SENATE COMMITTEE

ALBANY, N.Y.  — In response to the Senate Social Services Committee moving legislation to get WiFi in all temporary housing facilities around our state, VOCAL-NY released the following statement attributable to Joseph Loonam, Housing Campaigns Manager with VOCAL-NY’s Homelessness Union:  

“We applaud the Senate for its continued leadership in the fight to expand internet access to the most vulnerable people in our state. Everything that homeless folks are told they need to do to improve their lives – finding employment, securing housing, or connecting with loved ones – requires them to get online. While we are disappointed that funding to expand internet services in the shelter system was not secured in the 2024 state budget, we are grateful to Senator Gonzalez and her colleagues for keeping up the momentum for this critical legislation by passing it through the social services committee.” 

BACKGROUND:

S4561-A/A5649-A would require every temporary housing facility in the state of New York to provide residents with access to WiFi. It aims to use funds from the federal ConnectAll program to reimburse Social Service Agencies for any increased costs. WiFi was expanded to all adult family shelters in New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, those who reside in individual shelters across our state continue to struggle to gain access. 

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