In multifamily housing, digital access has become as essential as running water and electricity. Yet for many residents in affordable and senior housing, home internet remains out of reach. The City of Phoenix is changing that narrative with the PHXHousing Connect Program, a trailblazing initiative that has already brought free internet to thousands of households while creating a replicable model for other cities.
Crisis as a Catalyst
For Courtney Anderson, housing manager over community and digital programs with the City of Phoenix, the pandemic revealed just how deep the digital divide ran.
“We were hearing stories of families of nine children connecting to one cell phone just to complete schoolwork,” Anderson recalls. “That’s when I realized how critical it was to get devices and internet into these households.”
Launched in May 2020, PHXHousing Connect began by distributing 1,600 tablets with two years of T-Mobile service to families with school-aged children and seniors. Over time, it has evolved into a comprehensive digital equity strategy built on three pillars: devices, connectivity, and training.
Scaling Up with Partnerships
With nearly $8 million in federal funding and over $2 million leveraged through partnerships since 2020, Phoenix has expanded the program to wire entire affordable housing communities for free in-home internet. In partnership with Cox Communications, the city has already connected 3,746 units across 33 affordable and senior housing sites, with another 580 units scheduled by fall 2025.
Marnie Peterson, market director for Cox Communities in Arizona, emphasized the role of trust and collaboration. “It’s about partnership and direct communication,” Peterson says. “Courtney and her team were upfront about what they had to spend and what their goals were. Everybody at Cox leaned in—finance, leadership, operations—to make sure the dollars stretched as far as possible.”
For many residents, the savings are substantial. Eliminating monthly internet bills frees up hundreds of dollars a year for other necessities.
Creating Digital Literacy
Connecting units is only part of the challenge. For many seniors and low-income households, digital literacy is a bigger hurdle than access.
Anderson remembers one 96-year-old resident who initially resisted taking a tablet, unsure what use it would be.
“I asked her what she liked to do, and she said she loved gospel music,” Anderson recalls. “I showed her how to find her favorite pastor on YouTube, and she lit up. Later, she used the same tablet for her first telehealth appointment. That’s when I realized this wasn’t just about technology—it was about connection.”
The program now includes digital literacy classes at senior sites and two dedicated digital equity centers, called The Hives. These spaces, in partnership with the Institute for Digital Inclusion Acceleration, designed to feel more like living rooms than computer labs, provide one-on-one support, youth coding camps, telehealth workshops, and job training resources.
“You read a lot about affordable housing and digital inequity, and I thought I understood what it meant,” Peterson says. “But at our first launch, I saw parents in tears because their child was going to have internet for the very first time. That was life changing.”
A Replicable Model
Phoenix’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. The city has been recognized as a ConnectHome USA Tier II community, a HUD designation given to programs that have successfully scaled digital inclusion efforts and serve as models for other cities. Municipalities nationwide are inquiring how to replicate its model.
“Courtney isn’t just talking the talk, she’s walking the walk,” Peterson says. “She truly cares about the people she serves, and I sincerely hope other cities replicate this program. It’s groundbreaking work.”
Anderson agrees, stressing that success comes from persistence and resident-centered design. “This isn’t a program that automatically gets federal funding—you have to fight for it, build partnerships, and listen to residents. That’s how it works,” Anderson says.
Lessons for Multifamily Stakeholders
For multifamily developers and owners, Phoenix’s model underscores a growing reality: digital equity is integral to housing equity, supporting education, employment, and healthcare access.
By leveraging partnerships, pursuing flexible funding sources, and embedding training alongside connectivity, Phoenix is showing the industry how digital inclusion can be scaled sustainably.
“Access to technology is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” Anderson says. “Our goal is to make sure every resident has the tools and skills to thrive in today’s digital world.”
The future of multifamily housing is connected, equitable, and digitally ready. Discover how Cox Communities supports that vision here.
By the Numbers: PHXHousing Connect Program Impact
