Pharr Connect, local housing authority link up to provide broadband internet for families

PHARR — The local housing authority here, as well as the city’s broadband network, have banded together recently to provide access to the internet for local families, according to a Monday release by the Pharr Housing Authority.

With this partnership and expansion, Pharr Connect will bring its services to residents at the PHA’s local properties — which is Parkview Terrace, Sunset Terrace and Las Canteras.

The housing authority said that it will provide about 300 households with access to fiber-optic internet. If you’re not sure what fiber-optic is, it essentially is high-speed internet access within a home.

The PHA said that the project came into fruition through a $700,000 reallocation of Community Development Block Grant funds.

The cost of these residential plans range from $25 to $50 a month, compared to traditional internet service plans that can be about 30 to 50% more. The low cost is to help ease the financial burden for the housing authority families.

More so, through a partnership with PSJA ISD, students receive one-gigabyte of service for free, which is aimed to help them have access to online learning resources and help them with their studies.

“This partnership is an investment in our families and their future,” said Mario Lizcano, who is the board chairman for the local housing authority. “Affordable, reliable internet opens doors to educational opportunities, workforce resources, healthcare, and everyday resources that improve quality of life for our residents. We are grateful to partner with the City of Pharr to create stronger, more connected communities.”