NEF is also involved in a new $1 billion initiative designed to support the development of affordable homes with high-speed internet access. In partnership with One Economy Corp., LISC/NEF will provide grants, below-market loans and equity investments that will cover the cost of high-speed digital internet connectivity, low-cost computers and on-line content tailored to the needs of residents.

The initiative expects to connect nearly 100,000 people to the vast advantage of the internet. Despite an overall increase in the number of U.S. households with computers and/or internet access, low-income Americans remain significantly less likely to be online than middle- or high-income households. Access@home will develop over 15,000 affordable rental homes and apartments in communities across the country over the next five years. Residents in each of these properties will have high-speed digital access and a package of Internet related services from One Economy, including computer purchase vouchers, computer training for residents, and a community-specific "Beehive," a website sponsored by One Economy that provides information about personal finance, health, schools, jobs, childcare, and other services.

The $1 billion financing package for access@home includes both low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) investments from NEF and grants and loans from LISC. Organizations already lending their support to access@home include Citigroup, Washington Mutual, Deutsche Bank, and Cisco Systems, Inc.