Press Releases
Montgomery County Awarded $15.1 Million to Expand High-Speed Internet Access in Affordable Housing Communities
For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 12, 2025
Montgomery County has been awarded $7,498,959 from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in a second round of grant funding to expand broadband access for residents in 2,276 affordable housing apartments. This is in addition to the $7,629,208 the County was awarded in the first round of grant funding to expand broadband to 1,547 affordable housing apartments through DHCD’s Office of Statewide Broadband’s Home Stretch for Public Housing program, which aims to close the digital divide by improving internet infrastructure in municipally owned and nonprofit low-income housing across the state.
“Getting all Marylanders online is crucial in a society where internet access can determine your job or your child’s education,” said Governor Wes Moore. “These awards help ensure that the infrastructure exists to make Maryland more equitable.”
The funding will support the installation of MoCoNet, the County’s free 300/300 Mbps residential internet service, upgrade internal wiring, and provide Wi-Fi in common areas, helping Montgomery County residents access reliable, high-speed internet where they live. The County’s award is the largest of three announced by DHCD, and the $15.1 million in grants to Montgomery County is the largest award in the Public Housing broadband program.
“Access to high-speed internet is essential for education, employment, health care, and daily life,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Too many families still struggle with limited or no access to broadband in their homes, and that puts them at a serious disadvantage. These funds will help us fix that. I want to thank Governor Moore, Secretary Jake Day, and the Office of Statewide Broadband for recognizing the need and supporting our efforts to close the digital divide in Montgomery County.”
“In today’s home, access to high-speed internet is as important a utility as water or electricity,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “Every household we connect through the Moore-Miller Administration’s Home Stretch for Public Housing program closes the digital divide in Maryland and means more people have access to better broadband services, regardless of where they live.”
This investment will help ensure more residents in Montgomery County’s affordable housing communities have the tools they need to participate fully in the digital economy. “Having internet access in the home can be a game changer for young people to have their own digital opportunities,” said TEBS Director and County Chief Information Officer Gail M. Roper.
The County is working closely with our partners the Housing Opportunities Commission and Affordable Homes & Communities to begin improvements at eligible properties and ensure minimal disruption to residents during implementation. “The TEBS project team is in place and on track to have MoCoNet service available to the 3,038 apartments at all eleven affordable housing communities by September 2026,” said Chief Broadband Officer Joe Webster.
Montgomery County has prioritized digital equity through initiatives such as expanding public Wi-Fi, distributing devices and supporting digital literacy programs. This latest investment aligns with the County’s broader strategy to ensure that all residents, regardless of income, have the same access to opportunity.
“Our next goal is to leverage this free internet access in affordable housing developments to attract support for workforce and health-related skills training programs,” said Mitsuko R. Herrera, Montgomery Connects digital opportunity program director. “Internet is an essential tool, and we want to continue to help people use it to improve their economic outcomes.”
For more information about the Home Stretch program and the Office of Statewide Broadband, visit https:.dhcd.maryland.gov/Broadband.
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Media Contact: Mitsuko Herrera
Categories: Award, Housing