Virginia Affordability and Adoption Planning Grant (VAAPG) Application Process
The Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is excited to announce the application process for the Virginia Broadband Affordability and Adoption Planning Grant Program! Eligible applicants for this program include county, city, and tribal governments.
The purpose of this program is to conduct needs assessments, identify priorities, and develop plans with implementation strategies to address and promote digital opportunity in their communities. This program’s intended goal is to provide eligible applicants an opportunity to prepare for governmental and philanthropic funding and program opportunities, such as the BEAD non-deployment and federal Digital Equity Act funds.
DHCD’s Office of Broadband hosted a ‘How-To-Apply’ webinar on the application process on February 20th. Representatives from units of local government, tribal governments, and other interested stakeholders were encouraged to attend to learn about the grant application process. The webinar discussed an overview of the program, plan requirements, application requirements, the application process, and other important information for applicants. Both the PowerPoint presentation and a recording of the webinar are available below.
If you have any questions, email the Digital Opportunity inbox at digitalopportunity@dhcd.virginia.gov.
Commonwealth of Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan
The Office of Broadband has published the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Digital Opportunity Plan, as required under the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program from the Digital Equity Act Program (DE). Please see below to review the Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan as approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The Office of Broadband also held a community input session on the Virginia Digital Opportunity Plan; please see below to view this recording. These documents reflect the final versions as required by NTIA under the Digital Equity Act (DEA).
Regional Digital Opportunity Plans
Program Purpose
DHCD is partnering with the Department of Social Services, the Virginia Community Action Partnership, and Community Action Agencies to develop Regional Digital Opportunity Plans. Across nine regions, Community Action Agencies are assessing the digital divide through stakeholder engagement, survey distribution and data analysis, and community input sessions to develop regional plans that address identified community needs related to the digital divide. The nine regions, as well as the lead Community Action Agency for each regional plan, are listed in the map.
Digital Opportunity Case Study Pilot Program
Program Purpose
The intent of this program is to bring organizations working to close the digital divide into the state’s planning process. The objective of this grant opportunity is to identify best practices of initiatives/efforts that are addressing the digital divide in communities throughout Virginia. DHCD will provide grant funding to the organizations operating these programs, with the deliverable of a case study highlighting key findings, which DHCD will incorporate into the Commonwealth Digital Opportunity Plan.
How to Apply
Eligible organizations to participate in this program are listed under the "Eligibility" tab on this page. Groups interested in applying should review the Program Guidelines, which are also under the "Resources" tab on this page. Applications will be accepted and evaluated by DHCD on a rolling basis, until all available funds are committed. Interested organizations are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to begin development of their case study if selected. This page will be updated when all available funds are committed.
