Contributed Article
What to understand about the current pause in broadband deployment funding and its potential impact on the rental housing industry.
By: Julianne Goodfellow, RETTC and Valerie M. Sargent, Broadband Communities
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program – part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – remains on pause as a federal administrative review continues. While $42.45 billion has been allocated to expand broadband access nationwide, implementation funding has yet to be distributed, even to the first three states that received final approvals, which include Louisiana, Nevada, and Delaware.
President Trump paused the program to conduct a “comprehensive review of the BEAD Program.” Revised guidance is now expected in June and housing and broadband industry stakeholders are watching closely, particularly those focused on broadband deployment and improvements in underserved communities.
Current status of the program
The BEAD Program is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. It is designed to help close broadband gaps by directing funds toward unserved and underserved areas, including rural and lower-income areas. States have been developing their implementation plans, but no BEAD-funded broadband construction has begun as of late May 2025, in part due to the recent pause by the new administration.
According to public reports, revised guidance is scheduled for release in June, which will likely include updates to program requirements, funding criteria, and potential adjustments to the application and deployment processes.
Implications for the rental housing industry
Broadband access is no longer considered a luxury for today’s rental housing market. In rental housing communities, robust connectivity supports a wide range of benefits, ranging from smart home integration and operational technology to resident satisfaction and property competitiveness.
For many owners and operators, particularly those with properties in rural or lower-income markets, BEAD funding has represented a unique opportunity to finance infrastructure improvements that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive, allowing broader access to connectivity for residents who need affordable, reliable internet service. A continued delay may slow down planned upgrades or create uncertainty around future timelines for service expansion.
The current pause also intersects with ongoing affordability concerns. Simplified regulation and funding support can significantly lower the cost of broadband implementation, which in turn reduces infrastructure expenses for properties and contributes to overall housing affordability.
What to watch in the coming months
The June guidance will be a pivotal development for stakeholders looking to participate in the BEAD initiative. Key areas to monitor include:
- Allocation methods by state and any updates to eligibility for multifamily properties
- Streamlining of permitting or regulatory processes that could accelerate deployment
- Clarity on how states will classify unserved or underserved units within rental housing communities
With funding still in reserve and state-level plans evolving, there remains an opportunity for housing leaders to prepare. By identifying qualifying properties and aligning development strategies with state broadband goals, rental housing owners can position themselves for future infrastructure investments.
Expanded connectivity
While the BEAD Program remains in a holding pattern, the fundamental need for expanded connectivity in rental housing has not changed. The pause presents a moment for reflection, planning, and alignment. With guidance on the horizon and infrastructure priorities at the forefront of housing policy, rental housing stakeholders can remain engaged, informed, and ready to act when the program resumes.
About the authors
Julianne Goodfellow is Head of Community and Policy for the Real Estate Technology & Transformation Center and can be reached at jgoodfellow@rettc.org. Valerie M. Sargent is a multifamily speaker, trainer and executive consultant, and is the multifamily news correspondent for Broadband Communities. Contact her at http://www.valeriemsargent.com. For more information, visit http://www.nmhc.org or http://www.bbcmag.com.
