Starry Provides Free Starry Connect Access Until the End of 2020 for Residents at HACLA’s Mar Vista Gardens

Most California school districts have already kicked off the new school year, forgoing in-person instruction for online-only learning in the wake of the continuing COVID-19 health crisis. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that roughly one-in-four households in Los Angeles County with school-aged kids still lack access to both broadband internet and either a laptop or desktop computer in the home. These are the critical tools needed for a successful remote-schooling experience this fall.

At Starry, we’ve made it our mission to help close the digital gaps that exist across our markets, and that of course includes our Los Angeles community. In June, we partnered with the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) to launch our Starry Connect service at their Mar Vista Gardens community, which comprises more than 600 households, 36% of which have school-aged children in the home. Since then we’ve been working closely with HACLA and the City of Los Angeles to identify other ways we can increase connectivity and digital access for its residents.

Today, we’re excited to announce that we will be making our Starry Connect service available free of charge to residents at Mar Vista Gardens until the end of 2020. Starry also recently donated 21 Chromebooks to Mar Vista Gardens families with school-aged children identified by HACLA as not having the devices necessary for virtual learning in the home.

“During this crisis, connectivity and devices are vital to all of our families --- for learning, staying in touch with our loved ones, and making sure we have the essentials needed to stay healthy and safer at home,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “We can only navigate this new reality through the power of partnerships, and Los Angeles is grateful for companies like Starry who have stepped up to help us close the digital divide and better serve our neighbors in Mar Vista Gardens.”

“Our relationship with Starry couldn’t have come at a better or more opportune time,” said HACLA CEO Doug Guthrie. “From the onset of the pandemic, offering low cost internet options at Mar Vista, to the present moment, as students return to online learning this fall, extending the Starry Connect service at no charge through the end of the year will help in our ongoing effort to level the playing field for our residents.”

Expanding the reach and impact of Starry Connect, especially during these challenging times, is just one of the ways Starry works to support the communities we serve. To learn more, read our press release on this announcement, and visit https://starry.com/starryconnect.