WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider legislation this week that will create a trust fund for the construction, rehabilitation and preservation of 1.5 million affordable housing units. The Internet Innovation Alliance believes lawmakers should ensure that the legislation will require that these homes have ready access to high-speed Internet service.

"Broadband is an empowering tool that will give residents of public and affordable housing access to education and job opportunities," said Bruce Mehlman, co-chairman of the Internet Innovation Alliance. "No one would think of building a house without electricity and the government should not finance housing that is not broadband-ready."

The National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act of 2007 is on the schedule for a vote by the full House this week. House Resolution (H.R.) 2895 would allocate between $800 million and $1 billion annually to states and cities to build and refurbish affordable housing.

Many states already require new homes to be built broadband-ready, and many require the government-subsidized operators of such housing to offer affordable broadband as a required utility. Nonprofit organization One Economy Corporation has led the effort to expand these basic requirements to all 50 states and the federal government.

"While technology has improved the lives of many Americans, the benefits of broadband have failed to reach millions of low-income citizens. Policymakers should take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that the residents of public housing are on the right side of the digital future," said Larry Irving of the Internet Innovation Alliance.

The Internet Innovation Alliance
Irving and Mehlman founded the IIA in 2004. Irving is president and CEO of Irving Information Group, a consulting firm providing strategic advice and assistance to international telecommunications and technology companies. Mehlman is co-founder of Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti Inc., a bipartisan public affairs consulting firm based in Washington, D.C.

For more information on the Internet Innovation Alliance visit: www.internetinnovation.org