Smart city story: Affordable Hardware Access (AHA)

Building digital equity in Calgary

In summer 2025, The City expanded its Affordable Hardware Access (AHA) Program. The City worked with Technology Helps Foundation and United Way of Calgary and Area to help more people get access to computers. The goal is to make digital access fair and reduce the gap between people who have technology and those who don't.

What is the AHA Program?

Calgary’s digital world is growing, but many people still find it hard to stay connected.

Having access to the internet and a computer is now a big part of everyday life. People need it to apply for jobs, use government services, get healthcare, and go to school. Without reliable devices and internet, some people miss out on chances which others might not even think about.

To help fix this, The City’s Smart Cities team started the AHA Program in 2023. AHA takes retired City computers, fixes them up, and gives them to people who need them most. This helps make things fairer and reduces the gap between people who have technology and those who don’t.

What started as a project between The City and Technology Helps Foundation has now grown into a movement that’s making a big difference in people’s lives.

As a nonprofit technology organization dedicated to serving the social-purpose sector, Technology Helps Foundation understands the real-world challenges community organizations face — the constant pressure to modernize, stay secure, and keep up with technology while remaining focused on their missions. Their role in AHA goes beyond hardware; it’s about helping people and organizations overcome digital barriers so they can continue tackling some of society’s toughest challenges, from poverty and housing to climate and community wellbeing.

Charles Buchanan, CEO and founder of Technology Helps Foundation emphasizes the importance of digital equity as the world becomes more digital.

“It's very, very difficult to survive in this world today or be fully engaged if you're not connected,” he says. “Technology Helps Foundation is not just on a mission anymore; it’s going to be a movement, and we’re excited to have more partners who are joining us on this path.”

Charles Buchanan from Technology Helps Foundation, Savera Hayat from United Way, and Luis Moura from The City’s Smart Cities team stand beside retired City computers. These computers are now part of the AHA Program. The photo was taken at The City's Wave Tech Centre in July 2025.

The expansion

The expansion of AHA welcomed United Way as a key player in the program’s growth alongside Technology Helps Foundation. United Way is an international organization of local non-profit affiliates and acts as a bridge between The City of Calgary and organizations with community members who can benefit from accessible hardware.

Luis Moura, an IT Program Manager and leader of the Smart Cities team’s digital equity work, said The City saw a chance to grow the program. The team realized it could help more people if they worked with the right partners.

If [the program] stayed within The City, we could only do so much with the number of computers we have [access to],” says Moura. “But now with United Way and Technology Helps Foundation we have so many more resources.

United Way supports local groups and projects and sees the AHA Program as a chance to work with The City on shared goals about digital fairness.

Savera Hayat, Director of Community Strategies with United Way, is responsible for developing strategies around diversity, equity, inclusion and mental health and grassroots development.

Hayat says, “the AHA Program really aligns with [United Way's] mission to advance digital equity within in Calgary, especially when working with equity deserving groups and vulnerable Calgarians.”

Hayat highlights the importance of accessibility, noting how programs like AHA have the power to uplift voices of community members that are often overlooked when it comes to tech solutions.

Before joining the program, many people only had a cellphone. Phones are helpful for simple tasks, but they aren’t made for creating documents or doing school and work projects. In some cases, people need a laptop to get things done.

Erin Ruttan, IT Smart Cities Project Manager was part of the pilot creation of AHA that launched in 2023. She quickly saw that digital access affects people and families in different ways.

During the pandemic, many homes had only one computer or none at all. Families had to decide who would get to use the device, which made it hard for everyone to stay connected for school, work, and other important needs.

“In today's day and age, having access to technology isn't a privilege, it's an essential part of being a member of society,

says Rattan.

Looking ahead

The AHA Program is about more than giving people computers. It is about helping them take part in work, school, and everyday life in a world that is becoming more digital.

I am deeply grateful that we’ve stepped up in this space, addressing such a real and pressing need,” says Humaira Falak, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategist, with United Way. “This initiative is breaking down barriers created by digital inequities and opening doors for so many. I am incredibly proud of United Way, The City of Calgary, Technology Helps Foundation, and our social impact partners for making this vision a reality. These devices aren’t just tools — they’re lifelines, connecting people to opportunities, hope, and community.

In 2025, AHA expansion has met some major milestones including:

  • 50 computers delivered to Calgarians.

  • 9 social impact organizations are part of the expansion.

  • Planning to distribute 180 to 200 computers by the end of the year.

As the program continues to grow, the Smart Cities team is working with United Way and Technology Helps Foundation. They are focused on moving forward with the Digital Equity strategy which is The City’s plan to help people get connected and stay connected in a digital world. They are also planning on giving out more computers through these partner organizations:

  • Umoja Community Mosaic 
  • Ethiocare
  • Buds in Bloom
  • Centre for Newcomers
  • Calgary Catholic Immigration Society 
  • Immigrant Services Calgary 
  • The Alex 
  • Jewish Family Centre 
  • Kerby Centre 
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