About 34,000 people in Santa Barbara County live in homes without a computer, internet service, or both, according to a recent report released by the Digital Equity Coalition (DEC). The study, conducted by Dr. Jamshid Damooei and commissioned by the Santa Barbara Foundation, offers the most detailed neighborhood-level look at digital access in the county to date.
The report is the first step in the coalition’s Roadmap to 98% Connectivity project, a three-phase plan to move from data to action. The second step is listening to the community to understand what’s behind the numbers. The third is putting what it learns into action.
On September 29, the coalition invited organizations that work with residents every day, including workforce, housing, and health providers, to a workshop at the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians’ Tribal Hall. Attendees heard from Liz Thasiah, the vice president of programs at the Santa Barbara Foundation; Shelby Arthur, DEC strategic advisor; Will Fuller of Family Service Agency; and Sunne Wright McPeak, the president and CEO of the California Emerging Technology Fund.
Partners shared the challenges their clients face with devices, tech support, and internet access. They also discussed upcoming changes to programs like Medi-Cal and CalFresh. As more benefits information moves online, reliable internet and digital skills help residents stay informed.
Over the coming months, the coalition will hear from residents themselves. American GI Forum, Family Service Agency, the Housing Authority of Santa Barbara County, Partners in Education, the Nube Education Foundation, and UC Santa Barbara’s Department of Communication will host small focus groups in communities including Guadalupe, Santa Maria, Lompoc, New Cuyama, and Isla Vista. The goal is to better understand what motivates residents to get online and what holds them back.
Dr. Amy Gonzales of UC Santa Barbara, a coalition member since its start, will work with other coalition leaders to analyze what participants share. The findings will be presented at the 2027 Digital Equity Summit and will help partner organizations connect their clients with resources like low-cost internet plans, devices, and digital skills classes.
“We have the data and the active coalition partners aligned,” said Arthur in August. “The question is no longer whether we can close the digital divide in Santa Barbara County — it is when.”
Want to learn more or get involved? Visit sbcdec.org to explore the coalition’s work, partners, and the full State of the Digital Divide report.
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