Wicked Free Wi-Fi is now available in the community rooms and common areas of 17 BHA public housing developments.  The Boston Housing Authority wired 17 public housing communities across Boston in order to provide free Wi-Fi and expand internet access for some of Boston’s most vulnerable residents.  The City’s BoNet fiber expansion is providing the BHA with a network to build and expand Wicked Free Wifi’s reach into public housing.

Installing access points in additional BHA sites is ongoing and will eventually expand free broadband internet availability across every public housing community in Boston. The initiative is made possible following completion of the City capital project to extend the Boston Dept. of Innovation and Tehnology’s municipal fiber optic network, Bonet “to every BHA community/development.  The BHA’s Wicked Free Wi-Fi expansion is made possible with federal CARES Act funds. The City’s fiber network expansion project provided BHA with the ability to expand Wicked Free Wi-Fi’s reach into BHA public housing  common areas.  

“The internet is a critical lifeline for Boston’s residents, but financially inaccessible for many.” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said. “This program offers an opportunity to make educational opportunities, community connection, and digital equity available to Bostonians city-wide.”

“The internet is vital infrastructure that every resident needs to be able to access, especially now.” BHA Administrator Kate Bennett said. “We are proud that we have been able to seize this moment and move ahead to permanently upgrade this infrastructure in our public housing communities.”

The upgrades are complete at the Bunker Hill Development, Alice Taylor Apartments, Mary Ellen McCormack, Franklin Field, Pond Street, Annapolis, Foley, Groveland, Davison, West Ninth Street, JJ Meade, Doris Bunte, General Warren, Hassan, Spring Street, Bellflower Gardens, and Malone Apartments.

“It’s amazing to see residents who have never been able to reliably access the internet before discover how many incredible opportunities are now just a click away,” Alice Taylor Apartments Taskforce President Matilda Drayton said. “Whether it’s doctor’s appointments, education or food delivery, this is going to help public housing families access the kinds of opportunities that others take for granted.”

In addition, BHA has purchased and is installing new computers and desk furniture for community rooms, resident task force offices, and computer rooms. This project is part of a larger initiative by the Boston Housing Authority to expand digital access to its public housing communities. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, BHA surveyed all public housing residents to assess their internet access and to address digital inequities in BHA communities. Now, BHA is engaging with residents who currently have no internet service or lack a device to access the internet.

In partnership with the Boston Public Library, BHA has distributed more than 3,000 chromebooks and routers with free internet to BHA residents in recent months as part of the BPL Long-Term Lending Program. BPL was able to purchase the devices and service with a federal Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) grant.   

BHA has distributed information about the FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit and affordable broadband options such as Comcast’s Internet Essentials program to all BHA residents, and provides support for residents who want to apply.

Prior to the BPL partnership, BHA purchased and distributed 400 Chromebooks and tablets to residents who did not have a device.   

BHA has also engaged with the following partners to expand digital equity and literacy in its communities –TechGoesHome, Central Boston Elder Services, Little Brothers and Friends of the Elderly, and the Center for Community Health Education Research and Service, Inc. (CCHERS).

Senator Markey and and FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel played significant roles in funding and standing up the Emergency Connectivity Fund to address digital connectivity needs in Boston. Senator Markey introduced the E-Rate program in 1996 Telecom Act and Chairwoman Rosenworcel has been an indefatigable champion of closing the homework gap.  Boston schools and libraries are using this new funding opportunity to help vulnerable families and seniors become digitally connected to live and learn.

Senator Markey fought to pass ECF within the American Rescue Plan in 2021 to allow schools and libraries to provide Wi-Fi hotspots, modems, routers, and internet-enabled devices, including internet service through such equipment, to students, staff, and patrons.  Boston is an active participant in E-Rate, the Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program providing subsidies and discounts to assist eligible schools and libraries to obtain affordable internet access and services.  

About the Boston Housing Authority
Boston Housing Authority provides quality affordable housing for low-income families and individuals through the public housing and Section 8 rental assistance programs. We foster vital communities that are essential to our city's economic diversity and way of life.  As the largest housing provider in Boston, we bring stability, opportunity, and peace of mind not only to the thousands of low-income families we support, but to the city as a whole.