By Macy Meinhardt, Voice & Viewpoint Staff Writer
Among other cuts in equity programs, Mayor Todd Gloria will eliminate $57,000 in funding for the San Diego Access 4 All Program in his proposed 2025 budget cuts, a program used by thousands of San Diegans over 2.5 million times. Amid a $167 million shortfall in the City budget, this cut will result in the closure of Wi-Fi services at 59 parks and recreation sites throughout the city.
In order to relevantly engage in society, digital equity advocates proclaim internet access as a 21st century right. Yet, millions of Californians go without these essential services. This includes 1 in 10 minority, low-income residents in San Diego, according to SANDAG reports.
Lack of access contributes to what is known as the digital divide: The growing gap between people who do and do not have reliable access to quality and affordable internet service, as well as a suitable device for connecting to the internet.
Here’s where the divide is pronounced throughout San Diego:
- There are high concentrations of low-income households without a broadband subscription in certain neighborhoods, including Barrio Logan/Logan Heights (21%), National City (18%), San Ysidro (17%), and City Heights (16%).
- 17% of seniors age 65 and older do not have a broadband subscription.4
- 20% to 40% of students in many local districts do not have a broadband subscription.
Circumstances such as COVID-19 also exacerbated these disparities. To combat this and affirm their “commitment to equity”, San Diego took action in 2021 to close the digital divide. This was carried out by the San Diego Access 4 All Program which offered open public Wi-Fi at over 300 public locations.
The program also included free laptops and mobile hotspots available for check out at public libraries, and had a team of digital navigators to meet with residents on one one and show them how to use the internet.
Progress within these initiatives landed the City the title of digital equity trailblazers for the last two years in a row. However now that the program is experiencing financial cuts—is this a step back in digital equity?
This comes after the San Diego Tribune reported that the program will cut $670k from SD Access 4 All. However upon further investigation, The City’s IT Department– which oversees the program—told Voice & Viewpoint that the figure is actually much lower than reported.
Based on phone and email statements this is what Anthony Santacroce says on the program eliminations:
“The SD access 4 all program will remain active and continue to provide internet access and digital equity focused services for San Diegans. In the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025, the IT department identified a reduction of $57,000 in funding to the San Diego Futures Foundation, a local nonprofit service provider that will result in the elimination of Digital Literacy Training at most sites where it is currently being offered.”
Furthermore, in regards to the 59 parks and recreation sites, Santacroce explains, “In order to continue Wi-Fi services at [these] parks and recreation facilities, Access 4 All would need an investment of $500k.” Originally the Parks Foundation funded the installation and operation. Moving forward, the City no longer has the funding to continue this service, and a request for the continuance of funding was declined.
At this time, the locations of the specific parks and rec sites that will lose Wi-Fi access are not released to the public.
Meanwhile, within the context of the budget, Mayor Gloria named the proposal “Protecting our Progress” which he says “delivers on priorities and maintains core services.” This includes a focal increase on homelessness, streets, and stormwater infrastructure.
Mayor Todd Gloria at the “Protecting our Progress” budget proposal conference. PHOTO: City of San Diego
Other Equity Cuts:
In regards to other programs on the chopping block; the budget proposes to eliminate money for the Office of Immigrant Affairs, Cannabis Social Equity Program and taps the remaining balance in the Climate Equity Fund. It also proposes to reabsorb the Community Equity Fund into the general fund and reduce funding for programs like the City Council’s Community Projects. The cuts, which the Mayor describes as “difficult” were upon a request for all departments to make a 2% across the board reductions.
The cuts specifically to the free internet service come at a time when those struggling to afford internet at home are in their last month of the subsidized internet program. For millions across the state and hundreds of thousands in San Diego, the Affordable Connectivity Program gave eligible households $30 off their Wi-Fi each month. Without congressional action to extend funding, come May low-income households will have to bear the full price of internet services.
Mayor Gloria will present his proposed budget plan to the full City Council on Monday, April 22. Several weeks of department-level public hearings will follow this and a revised budget will be released on May 14. Final consideration by the City Council will take place in mid-June, with adoption due no later than June 30.
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Read More on the cuts to the Affordable Connectivity Program
