SANTA MONICA—On December 4, the city of Santa Monica indicated on its website that applications opened this week for the city’s new Renter’s Energy and Cooling/Heating (REACH) Program, which provides free portable heat pump HVAC units and other energy-efficient appliances to improve indoor air quality and comfort for residents in older rental properties.
The program aims to build climate resiliency in Santa Monica. Most older buildings in the city were not built with sufficient insulation or HVAC systems to maintain comfortable indoor air temperatures during the hotter and longer heat waves that are becoming increasingly common due to climate change. Renters, who make up roughly 70 percent of Santa Monica residents, often have more limited options to address such challenges than homeowners.
The REACH Program will allow selected applicants to choose two appliances – from portable heat pumps, air purifiers, or portable power stations – to receive at no cost.
Applicants must be renters in Santa Monica, Clean Power Alliance customers, and meet the income eligibility criteria. Applications are accepted and included in a lottery pool on a rolling basis. Applications are available online in English and Spanish, or paper applications can be picked up at the following locations:
-Santa Monica Historic City Hall
-Virginia Avenue Park – Park Center Building
Funding for the REACH Program is provided by the Clean Power Alliance Innovation Fund Program, and program partners include The Energy Coalition and Sustainable Works. For questions specific to the REACH Program application, contact Sustainable Works at info@sustainableworks.org for assistance.
By Danny Jones