Cover message to the Executive Directors of Public Housing Authorities

Dear Executive Director:

Full participation in today's digital economy requires access to computers, the Internet and related training. HUD is interested in assessing the current capacity of Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Multifamily Housing properties to improve residents’ digital literacy and access to online resources. To this end, HUD is conducting a survey entitled “Assessment of HUD-Funded or Designated Neighborhood Networks Centers and Other Computer Labs within Public and Assisted Housing.” The survey, available here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/35TTWYF, is voluntary and being sent to all PHA Executive Directors and Multifamily owners.

The survey will help HUD understand the extent to which public housing residents and residents of HUD assisted/insured properties have access to digital tools and training. The responses will provide context for future policies related to broadband access and digital literacy. Responses to this survey will be used for research purposes and to inform future policy making only. Responses will NOT be used for compliance monitoring.

If your PHA has multiple properties, you may wish to have the on-site property manager(s) complete the survey for their respective properties. Separate surveys should be completed for each property that has a Neighborhood Networks center or other computer center. In order to complete the survey, respondents will have to be familiar with any on-site computer or Internet services currently available to tenants at your properties. Similarly, if your organization participated in the public housing Neighborhood Networks program, you will also be asked to provide information about the computer centers that were opened or upgraded as part of the program.

Thank you for participating in the survey. Your feedback will provide HUD with valuable insight. If you have questions regarding this survey, please contact Dina.Lehmann-Kim@hud.gov.

Sincerely,

Dominique Blom

Deputy Assistant Secretary

Office of Public Housing Investments