Last month, LA DEAL joined the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Commissioner Darcie L. Houck for a broadband roundtable as part of a statewide series of California Advanced Services Fund (CSF) Listening Sessions.

The convening brought together stakeholders to provide input on the impact of the CASF, with a focus on the Broadband Public Housing and Adoption Accounts. Participants shared feedback on program implementation, discussed challenges in access and administering grant funding and offered recommendations to strengthen program effectiveness.

Key barriers raised by publicly subsidized housing providers included high operating and maintenance costs, infrastructure challenges in older buildings and limited flexibility in current funding requirements. Stakeholders also emphasized the need for more aligned and sustainable funding models, as well as integrated digital inclusion supports such as devices and digital literacy training.

These insights will help inform ongoing efforts to strengthen CASF programs and expand equitable broadband access across California.