Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres, The New York Public Library (NYPL) President Anthony W. Marx and Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Dina Levy celebrated a $2 million expansion of the Neighborhood Internet program at an affordable housing development in the Bronx.
Neighborhood Internet is a groundbreaking partnership between the City and NYPL that extends free, high-speed broadband to low-income New Yorkers. The initial pilot of the program, funded by HPD, will serve over 700 low-income households in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan by this summer, with the federally-funded expansion supporting thousands more across the Bronx over the next two years.
"Internet access allows New Yorkers to access jobs, find no-cost child care and explore the city they love. But for too many, broadband connection is either unreliable or unattainable. With this $2 million investment in the Neighborhood Internet program for New Yorkers in affordable housing, this administration is taking a major step towards closing the digital gap and building a city that is connected in more ways than one," said Mayor Mamdani.
"The digital divide is not abstract, it is a daily barrier for so many families in the South Bronx," said Rep. Torres. "In 2026, being offline means being locked out of opportunity. This $2 million investment will bring high-speed internet into thousands of apartments, because in today's economy, you cannot fully participate without being connected. I'm grateful to the Mayor, HPD and The New York Public Library for partnering with us to deliver this critical investment to the Bronx."
"The New York Public Library is laser focused on promoting reading and free access to digital information," said Anthony W. Marx, President and CEO of The New York Public Library. "From applying for jobs, to staying connected to loved ones, finding a family doctor, and so much more, the internet is essential to fully participating in society. The Library is committed to closing the digital divide and we are proud to help the City of New York deliver free wifi into the homes of New Yorkers in need."
"When affordable housing gets built in the city, residents should be connected to the internet," said Dina Levy, Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. "Forty percent of households in the Bronx do not have home internet access. The Neighborhood Internet initiative will help bridge the digital divide, providing low-income tenants in the Bronx with free access to the internet. Thank you to Congressman Torres for securing the federal funding that makes this possible, and to NYPL for their partnership in expanding internet access across the city. Under Mayor Mamdani, we're making sure affordable housing tenants are first to get connected."
"New Yorkers across the five boroughs deserve the same access to affordable internet regardless of their zip code," said New York City Chief Technology Officer and Office of Technology and Innovation Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. "Today's announcement is about more than free internet - it's about connecting thousands of historically underserved Bronx residents to greater economic, educational and social opportunities. We're proud to join Rep. Torres, HPD, and The New York Public Library to celebrate the expansion of the Neighborhood Internet program, a key initiative of the NYC Digital Equity Roadmap, and look forward to working closely with the public and our various stakeholders as we develop the 'Citywide Broadband Adoption Plan' in the coming months."
Neighborhood Internet, which is the first program of its kind in the country, serves low-income New Yorkers in the South Bronx and Upper Manhattan, which have among the lowest rates of broadband access in the five boroughs. Eligible households receive free, high-speed Internet access managed by The Library as part of its mission to provide free access to knowledge and information to all.
The expansion is funded by $2 million secured by Rep. Torres in Fiscal Year 2026 Community Project Funding. The funding will cover microtrenching, rooftop network equipment installation, dedicated internet access infrastructure and in-unit connectivity for thousands of homes across 50 buildings. The New York Public Library is a key implementation partner in installing and managing the high-speed internet.
Mayor Mamdani, Rep. Torres, NYPL, and HPD celebrated the additional funding at St. John's House II, an affordable housing development near Melrose Library, where Neighborhood Internet was recently installed.
"Digital connectivity is no longer a want but a need for communities across our borough, and that includes our public housing residents," said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. "Many Bronxites remain 'disconnected', but this additional federal funding for the Neighborhood Internet program will ensure more residents and families have access to high-speed broadband internet. This investment helps close the digital divide, expands educational and employment opportunities and supports the long‑term economic stability of our borough. Thank you to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Congressman Ritchie Torres for their investment in this important initiative and for ensuring Bronx residents have the tools to succeed in today`s digital world."
"From applying for jobs to helping kids do homework, reliable broadband is essential to daily life," said Assembly Member Landon Dais. "This investment will help close the digital divide for NYCHA and affordable housing residents in the Bronx and ensure more families can fully participate in the modern economy. Thank you to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Congressman Ritchie Torres for helping deliver this critical funding for Bronx families."
