Digital Inclusion "Wi-Fi" Project

With funding from the Community Technology Foundation of California, Mutual Housing and the Sacramento Region Community Foundation instituted one of the city's first community "Wi-fi" projects at Victory Townhomes and Evergreen Estates.

The project brought broadband, wireless Internet services to the residents of the two communities as well as ongoing classes in computers and Internet access.

Residents are able to use the Internet to further their education, seek employment, research and access healthcare, create their own businesses or pursue leisure activities. If necessary, they can even use it to beef up their language skills.

During the time the wireless network was being built, residents helped develop the computer training programs and class offerings. Once the network was completed, training sessions took place at the community centers which is also be open to neighbors in the Dixieanne area.

As residents have become familiar with computers and the Internet, they will be eligible for free or low-cost computers. Email accounts and high-speed Internet service will also be included. At the end of the two-year program, residents will be able to keep the computers.

Mutual Housing is helping to move all of its' residents into the electronic age. We plan to expand the pilot to other communities in the future.

Prior to Mutual Housing's involvement with the Victory and Evergreen apartment complexes, these housing projects had deteriorated to the point of substandard living conditions with broken and boarded up windows, code violations and other safety problems.

Since Mutual Housing took over the rehabilitation and operation of the two properties, we have transformed them into well-designed, high-quality units with residents who are actively involved and proud of their communities.

By attracting the financial resources to bring this wi-fi project to the Dixieanne neighborhood, Mutual Housing is moving its' residents into the 21st century by increasing their access to the electronic age. This project is just one of the many ways Mutual Housing is furthering community development in low-income neighborhoods.

The Community Technology Foundation of California helps underserved communities secure social justice, access and equity through the application of information and communications technologies.

Founded in 1983, the Sacramento Region Community Foundation serves as a leader and trusted partner in expanding philanthropic activity and enhancing its impact for the betterment of our communities.