LOS ANGELES, CA (September 9, 2024) – About 550-600 portable room air conditioners were given out free of charge to qualified LADWP customers age 60 and over who attended the Cool LA Heat Relief for Seniors event hosted by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Los Angeles Department of Aging at the Lincoln Park Senior Citizen Center in Lincoln Heights.
Approximately 600 guests from across Los Angeles, including the local Lincoln Heights, Chinatown, Boyle Heights and Downtown L.A. communities, attended the event, where they were able to enroll in LADWP financial assistance programs such as EZ-SAVE, Lifeline and Level Pay. Guests also talked with recruiters about LADWP jobs and learned about resources for seniors such as assistance with food and transportation offered by the L.A. Department of Aging.
Staff from the office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León of Council District 14 were also on hand to support their constituents. Councilmember de León stated, “Our seniors are especially vulnerable to the effects of extreme heat, so putting these air conditioners in the hands of the people who need them most really makes a difference. Our office is glad to have this opportunity to support our senior residents by connecting them to resources that help them save money on their utility bills and get assistance with the things they need to improve their quality of life.”
Richard Katz, President of the Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioners added, “LADWP is committed to protecting those who are most at risk in the kind of extreme weather that Los Angeles has been experiencing. This is particularly vital in communities like Northeast and East Los Angeles, where the temperatures can be a few degrees hotter than they are in adjacent areas.”
“Extreme heat is a real threat to our seniors, especially during prolonged heatwaves where we see consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures,” said LADWP Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones. “By distributing portable air conditioners to some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and by sharing information about our billing assistance programs, we hope to make a difference in our customers’ lives by underscoring that they do not need to choose between paying their bill and staying cool.”
One additional Cool LA Heat Relief for Seniors event is being planned as part of this series. For more updates and information, visit LADWP.com/HeatRelief2024.
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