Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel circulated a Report and Order that, if adopted, would establish the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, a $3.2 billion federal initiative to provide qualifying households discounts on their internet service bills and an opportunity to receive a discount on a computer or tablet. The proposed Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Report and Order:
The Department of the Treasury provides guidance regarding the requirements of the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The Act provides that ERA funds may be used for “other expenses related to housing incurred due, directly or indirectly, to” the COVID-19 outbreak, as defined by the Secretary. What are some examples of these “other expenses”? The Act requires that other expenses must be related to housing and be incurred due directly or indirectly due to COVID-19.
With broadband access disparities placed in sharp relief due to the pandemic, new grant and subsidy programs present the biggest opportunity in a decade (or more) to obtain support for broadband infrastructure expansion and the provision of affordable service.
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