Santa Monica Offers Free Appliances To Low-Income Renters: What To Know

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica is offering free appliances to low-income renters as part of an effort to build climate resiliency, city officials announced Thursday.

Applications opened last week for the 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,” officials said.

As most older buildings in the city were constructed without sufficient insulation or HVAC systems, they are not equipped to offer comfortable indoor temperatures during the longer, hotter heat waves due to climate change, according to city officials.

Additionally, renters — who make up about 70% of the city’s population — often have limited options to cope with the uncomfortable heat than do homeowners, officials said.

If selected, applicants will “choose two appliances — from portable heat pumps, air purifiers, or portable power stations — to receive at no cost,” according to officials.

To be eligible to apply, applicants must be Santa Monica residents and Clean Power Alliance customers, the city said. They must also meet certain income criteria.

To show income eligibility, applicants will have to submit one of the following:

• Proof of enrollment in Southern California Edison's Medical Baseline Allowance; or
• A copy of your utility bill showing participation in the CARE, FERA, Medical Baseline discounted rate program; or
• Proof of enrollment in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); or
• Proof of enrollment of a dependent in a Free or Reduced Lunch Program in Santa Monica; or
• Proof of enrollment in Supplemental Security Income (SSI); or
• Proof of enrollment in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); or
• Verification that your housing unit is deed-restricted affordable housing; or
• Verification that your housing unit is affordable housing provided by Community Corporation of Santa Monica; or Income Verification Form (also available in Spanish).

Applications will be accepted and included as part of a lottery poll on a rolling basis.

Applications are available online in English and Spanish, officials said, adding that paper applications can also be picked up from either Santa Monica City Hall or Virginia Avenue Park – Park Center Building.

Those with questions about the REACH program, funded by the Clean Power Alliance Innovation Fund Program, can contact Sustainable Works at info@sustainableworks.org.