If you or someone you know living in Durham can’t afford internet access or is having difficulty paying for reliable internet, a new local government program can help.<\/p>\n
The city and county announced that 600 MiFi internet hotspots<\/a> will be given free of charge to eligible low-income households.<\/p>\n \u201cInternet access is essential for success in today\u2019s world,\u201d Patrice Carroll, Durham’s digital inclusion program manager, said in a news release<\/a>. \u201cAccess to affordable, reliable internet isn\u2019t a luxury anymore. It\u2019s a necessity for school, work, and daily life. This program helps make sure every Durham resident has the tools they need to connect, learn, and thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n Reliable internet access is one of factors to closing the racial wealth gap in the U.S., according to the Samuel DuBois Cook Center on Social Equity at Duke University. <\/p>\n The “digital divide” means many people don’t have access to internet for job searching, education and other essential resources, <\/p>\n The initiative is funded with $211,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds designated to states during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n How to Apply<\/b><\/p>\n The application is available at this link<\/a> in English and Spanish through Nov. 2025, or until funds run out.<\/p>\n The devices will be distributed starting September 2025.<\/p>\n Who qualifies?<\/p>\n Eligible applicants must:<\/p>\n More details on what kind of qualifying documents are needed and how to submit them are available on Durham’s MiFi hotspot webpage<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n