Los Angeles Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program in Los Angeles is operated by the California Department of Community Services & Development. It partners with local energy service providers around the state to install weatherization and energy efficiency measures for low-income households and renters who qualify under the Weatherization Assistance Program of the Department of Energy (WAP). Energy efficiency is the utilization of less energy, which can minimize utility expenses. Among the advantages of energy efficiency and weatherization are the following:
Saving energy for lower bills
Environmental conservation
The Los Angeles Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) has been serving low-income Angelanos for many years as the major program offering such energy conservation services. By increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, the Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income families save money on their heating and cooling bills while still being able to provide for their basic needs like food and shelter. The program gives preference to low-income households that include children, the elderly, and the disabled.
Who qualifies?
This assistance program is only open to California residents. The following are some options that could be prioritized:
- Individuals aged 60 and up
- Families where one or more members have a disability
- Families with children
- According to Department of Energy (DOE) regulations, receiving either SSI or TANF immediately qualifies you for weatherization aid (TANF).
The annual pretax income of the household must be less than 60% of the state median income in order to qualify for this assistance program.
| Household Size* | Maximum Income Level (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $30,777 |
| 2 | $40,247 |
| 3 | $49,717 |
| 4 | $59,187 |
| 5 | $68,657 |
| 6 | $78,127 |
| 7 | $79,902 |
| 8 | $81,678 |
What is the Los Angeles Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP)?
The California Weatherization Assistance Program minimizes households’ utility costs by improving energy efficiency. The Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) gives low-income households free solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and other ways to save energy.
LIWP, which is operated by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD), is meant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by saving energy and making clean, renewable energy. The program also helps low-income households by lowering their energy costs, which makes them more financially stable. LIWP helps pay for renovations and solar panels that make low-income single-family homes and affordable multi-family homes more energy efficient.
LIWP also reduces the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities by making it cheaper for low-income households to keep their homes cool and comfortable by installing energy-efficient air conditioning or better insulation. This helps protect the health of children and the elderly from the bad effects of higher temperatures.
As it is, many low-income Californians are already struggling to make ends meet and spending more of their income on housing than ever before. The LIWP can help by lowering utility bills, which will give them more money to pay for other necessities. It is the answer to making both old and new homes more energy efficient.
LIWP is the only program in California of its kind that helps low-to-mind-income customers to get free solar PV and energy efficiency upgrades for their homes. By doing this, the program is a key part of making sure that all Californians can take advantage of the state’s climate investments and services.
Part of the California Climate Investments
LIWP is a part of California Climate Investments, which is a statewide plan to use billions of dollars from the Cap-and-Trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and the environment, and boost the economy, with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged neighborhoods. The California Climate Investments program helps pay for projects like affordable housing, utility assistance, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission cars, restoring the environment, making agriculture more sustainable, recycling, and a lot more. More than a third of these funds go to neighborhoods with low or no income.
