LOS ANGELES, CA (August 26, 2024) – Approximately 400 community members from Pacoima and the Northeast San Fernando Valley attended the Cool LA Heat Relief for Seniors event hosted by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), the Los Angeles Department of Aging and Councilmember Monica Rodriguez of Council District 7. The event was held at the Alicia Broadous-Duncan Senior Center in Pacoima.
About 300 portable room air conditioners were distributed free of charge to LADWP customers aged 60 and over who pre-qualified for the giveaway. Guests were also able to sign up on-the-spot for LADWP money-saving programs such as EZ-SAVE and learn about other financial assistance programs such as Lifeline and Level Pay. LADWP recruiters were also available to talk to job seekers.
Los Angeles City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez of Council District 7 explained, “Living in the San Fernando Valley, heat in the summer is just something we have learned to live with. However, the increased intensity of heat waves puts more of our most vulnerable residents at risk. I’m proud to offer this event to assist our seniors with resources and programs that provide them assistance with their bills, provides free portable air conditioning units to qualified applicants, and offers a cool place for friends and neighbors to gather.”
Because seniors are among our most vulnerable citizens, this event was designed to help them cope with the effects of severe heat, especially as climate change worsens. “At LADWP, safety is always our number one priority,” said Nurit Katz, Los Angeles Board of Water and Power Commissioner. “As the summer heats up, we want to ensure that seniors and other vulnerable members of our community have access to resources and programs that help manage the risk of heat impacts, especially for those living in warmer areas, like Pacoima and the Northeast San Fernando Valley in general.”
LADWP CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones declared that a commitment to serving every Angeleno and making sure customers are equipped with the tools and resources to manage their bills are central to the utility’s mission. “About 20% of our city population is over 60 years old and we know our elderly are more vulnerable to temperature swings and are threatened by the extreme heat in the summer, which is now our new normal. To help customers stay safe and cool, we are here to provide portable air-conditioners to eligible customers and financial assistance information, so customers don’t have to worry about how high their summer bill could get,” she said.
This was one in a series of such events. For more information about future Heat Relief for Seniors events like this one, visit www.LADWP.com/HeatRelief2024 for the latest event announcements.
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