In a major push to bridge the digital divide, Mayor Eric Adams today announced the launch of Liberty Link, a new initiative that will provide free and low-cost high-speed internet to 2,200 households in affordable housing developments across the Bronx and upper Manhattan.

The program, unveiled at the New York Public Library alongside key city and national leaders, is part of a three-year, $3.25 million pilot aimed at bringing digital equity to underserved communities. It builds on the success of Big Apple Connect, which already delivers free broadband to more than 330,000 NYCHA residents.

“In the 21st century, internet access is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said Mayor Adams. “From applying for jobs to accessing telemedicine or digital learning, every New Yorker deserves to be connected. Liberty Link is a bold step toward ensuring that affordable housing means equitable digital access.”

The program is a partnership between the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the New York Public Library (NYPL), and nonprofit housing organizations. It targets 35 affordable housing buildings where residents have long struggled with unreliable or unaffordable internet access.

“This is about dignity and closing the digital divide in communities that have too often been left behind,” said Acting HPD Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “We’re making sure residents have not only access, but the digital skills to thrive.”

Alongside Liberty Link, the city is also rolling out Neighborhood Tech Help, a free one-on-one digital literacy support program delivered through libraries, community centers, and even directly in residential buildings. Experts will assist residents with everything from setting up email accounts to applying for healthcare or learning online.

Garfield Swaby, Vice President of Technology at NYPL, highlighted the urgency of the effort. “One in five Bronx households lack broadband. One in three don’t even have a computer. This initiative can transform lives.”

The announcement took place during a visit from the African American Mayors Association (AAMA), whose president, Mayor Van Johnson of Savannah, Georgia, praised the initiative as a national model.

“High-speed internet is a 21st-century civil rights issue,” Johnson said. “This is transformative leadership that cities across the country can learn from.”

Mayor LaToya Cantrell of New Orleans echoed this sentiment, calling on residents to embrace the opportunity. “This isn’t just for others—it’s for you. Use it. Grow with it. Your future is being invested in.”