Dear Community,
I want to draw your attention to a powerful op-ed written by Shams DaBaron, aka “Da Homeless Hero,” this week regarding the lack of Wi-Fi accessibility in homeless shelters and the impact it had on him when he was homeless. Shams, a housing justice activist, recounts his experiences in the shelter system, where he consistently felt dehumanized and degraded, especially when denied access to basic necessities such as internet access in shelters.
Currently, homeless shelters in New York are not required to provide Wi-Fi to their residents, resulting in these homeless individuals being denied access to all of the information and resources that the internet provides. This perpetuates a digital divide which shuts homeless individuals out of gaining access to important opportunities such as housing, employment, and education, further trapping them in a cycle of homelessness.
As mentioned in the op-ed, I have a bill to change that. My bill, S9030A, would require all homeless shelters in New York to provide internet access to residents, ensuring that our homeless population has an equal opportunity to access housing, education, government services and all of the resources that having an internet connection provides.
I am grateful to Shams for shining a light on this crucial issue, and am hopeful that we will be able to work together to ensure that my bill is passed in the following session. New York has a responsibility to end the cycles of homelessness, and it is only by providing access to basic necessities such as Wi-Fi that we can do so.
With Gratitude,
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi
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