The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District (HABD) has been awarded $262,397 through the Federal Communications Commission’s “Your Home, Your Internet” grant program—an initiative aimed at expanding broadband access for low-income households.
The successful grant proposal was developed in partnership with the City of Birmingham’s Connect 99 team, with Levitate Legal & Consulting serving as the lead grant writers. The award will fund a pilot effort under the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides qualifying households with discounts of up to $30 per month for broadband internet service.
This win reflects a growing commitment from local leaders to close Birmingham’s digital divide—a structural barrier that disproportionately limits access to jobs, education, and healthcare.
Expanding Digital Equity in Public Housing
This funding will allow HABD to significantly scale its outreach to residents. In November 2022, HABD and Connect 99 successfully helped over 100 households enroll in the Affordable Connectivity Program. With this new federal investment, the pilot program will reach even more families in public housing communities—offering personalized assistance to navigate and apply for internet benefits.
“This grant will support our work to connect Birmingham residents with the broadband they need to become truly self-sufficient,” said Dontrelle Young Foster, President and CEO of HABD.
“The digital divide affects communities across Birmingham, limiting residents’ ability to work, learn, and access vital services. We’re proud of the groundwork our team laid with Connect 99 before this award was even on the table.”
A Model for Local Innovation
The FCC’s Your Home, Your Internet initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure more equitable access to digital infrastructure. The Birmingham pilot program stands out as a promising example of how public housing authorities, city governments, and expert consultants can collaborate to unlock critical funding and deliver measurable outcomes.
Levitate Legal’s role in crafting the successful proposal underscores our deep expertise in aligning local needs with federal priorities and creating grant strategies that turn public policy into community progress.
Our team is proud to support clients like HABD in bridging the digital divide—one neighborhood at a time.
