The Princeton Council is seeking bids to bring internet access to the residents of the affordable housing developments owned or managed by the Princeton Housing Authority and Princeton Community Housing.
The Princeton Council approved a resolution to seek competitive bids from vendors to provide WiFi services to the housing developments and to provide free internet services to them for a five-year period at its Dec. 14 meeting.
Princeton is in line to receive grant funding through a federal Community Development Block Grant, which will cover the costs of installing the equipment and providing free internet service to those residents.
Once the equipment and infrastructure is in place, the vendor may be able to offer low-cost internet service to residents in the neighborhood, Princeton officials said. Internet service to the residents of the affordable housing units will be free.
Mayor Liz Lempert said WiFi access is increasingly necessary for everyone.
“(WiFi access) is a need for seniors and other adults looking to connect to news and information, job opportunities, and family and friends,” Lempert said. “Clearly, our kids need it for remote learning and even for regular school assignments, once in-person education resumes.”
The Princeton Public Schools has resorted to remote instruction periodically since the COVID-19 pandemic erupted and the schools were closed in March.
The vendor will bring the infrastructure and services to the residents of the 236 units in five developments owned and managed by the Princeton Housing Authority – the Hageman Homes on Clay Street; Maple Terrace and Franklin Terrace on Franklin Avenue; Lloyd Terrace at the end of Spruce Street; and Redding Circle, off Mount Lucas Road.
The nearly 470 units in developments owned or managed by Princeton Community Housing – Princeton Community Village, off Bunn Drive; Griggs Farm, off Cherry Valley Road; and Elm Court and the Harriet Bryan House, both off Elm Road- also will be included.
