Medvis Jackson

This case study analyzes the housing-related financial strain felt by Long Beach residents and explores the intersection of housing and internet access in Long Beach. The qualitative data for this case study was gathered through one-onone interviews with public officials, local social service professionals, a review of city budgets from 2014-2020, and a review of press coverage and studies that focus on housing and internet adoption in Long Beach. Based on this research, the following recommendations could improve connectivity for residents. 

Once a center for music production and automotive engineering, the City of Detroit has spent the last 10 years recovering from decades of depopulation, systemic divestment, and underdeveloped telecommunications infrastructure. Six years after it declared financial bankruptcy, municipal leaders, public school officials, and grassroots activists are all working to develop programs that will improve internet access and facilitate adoption for all residents. Detroit should continue to consult with local nonprofits to support neighborhood-based digital ambassador programs.

With approximately 200,000 residents, Huntsville is the second-largest city in Alabama. It houses the brainpower and imagination that fuels NASA’s space flight center and the US Army’s missile command. Research and engineering are an integral part of the City’s legacy. Long before they were known as a GIG City, residents and small businesses complained about expensive, unreliable internet connectivity. In this technology hub, broadband access is an expectation, much like access to clean water and electricity. However, today, broadband access is still unequal.