Its a Start

40 coupons down and 660 to go! Thanks to the 40 charity minded neighbors who logged on and ordered coupons so far, keep going, we appreciate it.

More Help is on the Way!

Good news and good efforts travel fast. Matthew Bymaster of Cebrebal Core Inc. saw this blog and offered to help us in our efforts. Matthew is a Free Tv Signal certified government retailer, http://www.freetvsignal.com/, with the DTV Converter Box Program and processor of the $40 DTV Converter Box Coupons. He offers a no-cost converter box, which is the Artec T3AP. NO-COST means: in exchange for the $40 gov’t coupon, residents will get the converter box along with all shipping and taxes paid for by Matthew's crew, so the cost to our neighbor's is free and the boxes can be delivered to their doorstep. The Artec T3AP comes with all the cables necessary, a remote, batteries for the remote, along with the instructions for the box. These are brand new boxes.

Thanks to Matt, we appreciate your help and this reduces the cost of convertor boxes even further to Skid Row area residents.

Digital TV Converter Box Program - From Neighbor to Neighbor

Some of us watch TV, some of us don’t. If you have cable or satellite, you’re probably not concerned about the switch to a digital TV signal coming up this June. For the past few months, the Federal Government has been running a coupon program to help consumers defray the cost of buying a converter box. Unfortunately, a legislative oversight has excluded more than 700 residents of SROs (single resident occupancy hotels) in Skid Row because their address is considered “commercial.” Residents of these hotels make less than $10K a year and arguably need this assistance more than most.

The Affordable Housing & Social Services Committee of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council has been advocating on behalf of the residents of Skid Row to get this changed – unfortunately, the legislation will not be revised before the switch to a digital signal. However, we have found a legal way around this oversight – we are inviting the community to help us by donating their unused coupons to the disenfranchised members of our neighborhood.

Here’s what you can do:

· Go online to https://www.dtv2009.gov and register for up to two coupons.
· Then, fill out this form with your confirmation number.
· We will pick up the coupons from you when you’ve received them in a few weeks and provide them to residents of Skid Row.

Please spread the word. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Coupon Drop Off

Hey everyone, thanks in advance for helping out with the coupon sponsoring event. We are in the process of developing a couple of drop off sites for the coupons, so keep posted for places to drop off your contribution. Shannon Parker, Comittee Chair

Hi my name is Antoinette Falice and I am the co-chair for the social service committee and I serve on the DLANC board as well. I open to all cares and concerns and I will assist when and where I can.

Important News especially if you live in an SRO and want a Digital Converter Box Coupon!

All television broadcasting will convert to a digital signal on February 17, 2009. So, if you do not have a Digital TV set or pay for TV service, you will need a Digital TV Converter Box or you will not have any television after February 17, 2009.

Digital TV Converter Box Coupons are worth $40 applied to the purchase of a converter box that will cost between $50 and $70. There is a long waiting list for Digital TV Converter Box Coupons so it important to apply for the coupon NOW to get your name on the list.

Currently, residents of SROs are not included in this program. The Affordable Housing & Social Services Committee of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council is advocating for the inclusion of SRO residents in this program.

What you can do:
If you need a coupon, please fill out the application and let us know! Leave us a comment on this posting and we'll try and help you get a coupon. You may not receive the coupon right away but we want to help people get on the waiting list for coupons so that, hopefully, when SROs are made eligible for coupons YOU will already be on the list to receive one.