Broadband

Right now, half of New Yorkers living in poverty do not have internet at home. The neighborhoods with the lowest rates of internet adoption are also the focus of most of the City’s affordable housing development.

Multifamily housing projects present opportunities to close this digital divide and improve the socioeconomic outcomes of many of the city’s most vulnerable populations. Internet service that is robust enough to perform modern tasks (also known as broadband) is essential for enrolling in government programs, seeking employment, and attending college. Broadband has become as necessary as a utility.

These design guidelines outline the requirements for the installation of fast and reliable broadband for all HPD-assisted multifamily new construction, supportive housing, senior housing, and preservation projects currently in HPD’s development pipeline. “Fast” is defined as speeds of at least 100 Megabits per Second (Mbps) upload and download, per unit, while “reliable” is defined as 99.9% uptime for the service.

Projects participating in the Inclusionary Housing incentive programs (either MIH or VIH) that are not subsidized through any HPD Loan Programs and projects receiving 421-a tax credits only are not subject to these guidelines.

This training on residential broadband for HPD’s development partners explains how to approach installing broadband in your projects.

Guidelines last updated September 2025

***New: Low-Cost Broadband Option for Projects in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan:

Liberty Link is a new internet access initiative operated by the New York Public Library and funded by HPD that developers/sponsors can choose as their internet service installer and provider.
Liberty Link’s installation costs and ongoing service will be underwritten by HPD at the lowest possible rates.
The goal of Liberty Link is to increase the number of New Yorkers with internet access, while reducing the broadband installation and maintenance and operations (M&O) costs for developers/sponsors.
Liberty Link is an option available for all HPD-assisted multifamily projects currently in HPD’s development pipeline that are located in the Bronx and Upper Manhattan (west of White Plains Road in the Bronx and north of 110th Street in Manhattan).
Both New Construction and Preservation projects can participate in the program, regardless of whether internet service is being provided in-unit or in common areas only.
As described below, sponsors may still allow other internet service providers to install their own infrastructure in the building and offer paid (or “retail”) service to tenants.
For more details or questions, please ask your Project Manager and/or reach out to HPD’s Broadband team: GetConnected@hpd.nyc.gov

General Requirements:

Cost: Broadband service must be at no additional cost to the tenant.
Speed: Average internet service speeds must be at least 100 Megabits per Second (Mbps) upload and download, per apartment.
Security: Each household must have secured access through a unique profile. Tenants must not be required to use additional services (e.g. VPNs, firewalls, etc.) to achieve secured and private access to the network.
Upgrades: If the internet service provider decides to offer additional service plans in the building with faster speeds, households should be given the option to enhance their individual level of service at their own cost.
Providers: Sponsors may choose to contract with and/or provide access to one or more internet service providers (ISPs), including fiber ISPs, wireless ISPs, and managed ISPs. Sponsors may contract with an internet service provider to provide free internet to tenants in addition to providing building access to one or more internet service providers who will install their own infrastructure in the building and offer paid (or “retail”) service to tenants.
Ownership: Building owners should retain ownership of the network infrastructure within the building. As a result, maintenance should be part of the contract with the ISP.
Cabling Pathways: All vertical and horizontal cabling pathways should be easily accessible and have room for the addition of more cabling in the future.
New Construction Projects Only: Sponsors must provide wireless service in common areas, including: lobbies, lounges and common rooms, laundry rooms, outdoor areas, and other shared spaces.
Mod, Sub, and Gut Rehab Preservation Projects Only: The building must provide wireless service in large lobbies, common rooms, and shared outdoor spaces. Common spaces like vestibules, doorways, small lobbies, or other common areas where multiple people cannot easily sit or stand to access the internet service do not require broadband. Sponsors can inquire whether their common spaces are too small by reaching out to HPD’s Broadband team (see below).

Installation Requirements: Supply and Wiring

Option for New Construction and Preservation:

New Fiber, New Wiring: Fiber is trenched from the nearest telecommunications vault in the street to the building’s basement and then connected to a network switch in the basement. New wiring (fiber or cable) is run from the network switch to each floor in vertical risers.
Note: For properties with fewer than 50 units or for deals with multiple properties located close together, HPD may approve alternative installation plans. Please contact HPD’s Broadband team for a consultation: GetConnected@hpd.nyc.gov.

Options for Preservation Only:

New Fiber, Existing Wiring: Fiber is trenched from the nearest telecommunications vault in the street to the building’s basement and then connected to a new network switch in the basement, which is connected to existing wiring in the building.
Wireless/Mesh, New Wiring: An antenna is placed on the rooftop that has line-of-sight to the provider’s wireless network. The antenna is then connected to a network switch on the rooftop or in the basement. New wiring (fiber or cable) is run from the network switch to each floor in vertical risers.
Wireless/Mesh, Existing Wiring: An antenna is placed on the rooftop that has line-of-sight to the provider’s wireless network. The antenna is then connected to a new network switch on the rooftop or in the basement, which is connected to existing wiring in the building.

Installation Requirements: Unit Access

Options for New Construction and Preservation:

Wired Connection Point: Fiber or cable terminates in the living room or an easily accessible area of each dwelling unit at a wall jack, where it can be plugged into a router. For Preservation projects, this might leverage existing wired connection points and wiring.
Unit Access Point: Fiber or cable terminates at a ceiling-mounted access point (hotspot) in each dwelling unit vestibule.

Option for Preservation Only:

Hallway Access Point: Fiber or cable terminates at a hallway access point (hotspot) outside groups of multiple dwelling units.

Additional Questions

For questions, please reach out to HPD’s Broadband team: GetConnected@hpd.nyc.gov