One Vision. Two Goals. Infinite Opportunities.

I

n 1995, the U.S. Department of Housing and 

Urban Development (HUD) had a vision. Create 

an initiative that would accomplish two goals—

promote self-sufficiency and deliver computer access 

to low- and moderate-income residents living in privately owned HUD-insured and assisted multifamily 

housing. 

The result of this vision was the Neighborhood Networks Initiative, and since its creation more than a 

decade ago, Neighborhood Networks has connected 

residents to infinite opportunities. 

The Need for Neighborhood Networks

To understand why Neighborhood Networks is important, it is important to first understand how employment skills, access to technology, and academic 

achievement effect one’s level of self-sufficiency and 

future success. Consider:

The U.S. Department of Labor projects that some 

of the fastest-growing jobs in the years from 

2000-2014 will require some degree of computer

literacy.

Americans earning less than $30,000 a year are 

online less than Americans with higher annual 

incomes.

Low-income youth are less likely to use computers 

at home than their peers.

Youth who regularly attend high-quality afterschool programs have better grades and conduct 

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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development • Office of Multifamily Housing Programs 

Delivering Technology Access to America’s Communities

in school; more academic opportunities; better 

peer relations and emotional adjustments; and 

lower incidences of drug use, violence, and 

pregnancy.

When creating Neighborhood Networks, HUD took 

all of these factors into consideration and developed 

an Initiative that provides residents with access to:

Computer technology that increases exposure to 

employment opportunities, improves academic 

performance, and enhances communication. 

Educational and job-training programs that 

enhance their skills so they can take advantage of 

employment and homeownership opportunities.

Healthcare information and other social services 

that improve the quality of life for themselves and 

their families.

Growth Is Good

Neighborhood Networks started quietly, with a few 

community technology centers scattered across the 

country. By the end of the first two years of the 

Initiative, more than 200 Neighborhood Networks 

centers opened. It expanded rapidly, building a 

national presence and impact. Between 1997 and 

1999, the number of centers more than doubled. 

Today, there are more than 1,300 Neighborhood 

Networks centers in urban centers and rural towns 

in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 

and the U.S. Virgin Islands that are placing the 

power of technology into the hands of the people.

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Neighborhood Networks • 451 Seventh Street SW, Washington, DC 20410

Neighborhood Networks Information Center: (888) 312–2743 • TTY: (800) 877–8339

Web site: www.NeighborhoodNetworks.org

E-mail: neighborhoodnetworks@hud.gov

HUD Offers Support

HUD encourages property owners and managers 

to open onsite technology centers and provides 

support to develop and sustain these centers. HUD 

supports Neighborhood Networks stakeholders by:

Providing onsite and remote technical assistance 

on topics critical to center development and 

sustainability.

Maintaining the Neighborhood Networks Web site 

that includes news, success stories, online publications, and contact information. 

Identifying regional and national funding opportunities that provide owners, managers, and center 

staff members with additional sources of revenue.

Providing access to the Strategic Tracking and 

Reporting Tool (START) that allows center staff to 

develop online business plans to better manage 

their centers. 

Assisting with the development of partnerships 

with businesses, nonprofits, government and 

social service agencies, educational and health 

institutions, faith-based organizations, civic 

organizations, and foundations that can provide 

cash and in-kind support.

Hosting monthly conference calls on a wide range 

of subjects, such as grantwriting, fundraising, 

resident involvement, partnership development, 

and staffing.

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Providing the Neighborhood Networks Information 

Center toll-free hotline that is staffed by information 

specialists ready to provide additional technical 

assistance and program guidance. 

Producing print and electronic publications, 

such as newsletters, brochures, and technical 

assistance resources, including TARGET: Technical 

Assistance Resource Guides and Educational Toolkit, a comprehensive guide that provides centers 

with detailed information on a variety of topics 

ranging from opening a center to program planning to working with the media to promote center 

activities and accomplishments. 

Offering learning opportunities, such as workshops 

and national conferences.

Sponsoring special events, such as Neighborhood 

Networks Week, a weeklong celebration held 

each summer that allows centers to highlight 

their achievements and recognize partners, staff 

members, residents, and volunteers. 

For More Information

For more information on Neighborhood Networks, 

visit the Neighborhood Networks Web site at 

www.NeighborhoodNetworks.org, or call the 

Neighborhood Networks Information Center toll-free 

at (888) 312–2743. The hearing impaired may access 

the number via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.

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July 2007