Program Overview
The LIWP Farmworker Housing Component provides no-cost rooftop solar
photovoltaic (PV) systems and energy efficiency upgrades to low-income
farmworker households to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower energy costs
for participants. The Farmworker Housing Component is part of CSD's Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) and is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by saving energy and generating clean renewable energy.
Farmworkers are one of the most vulnerable populations in the state because of seasonal employment and low wages. Farmworker families pay a larger share of their annual income on home energy, and often cut back on other critical needs to pay their energy bills. The LIWP Farmworker Housing Component increases the energy efficiency of homes owned or rented by farmworker families, reduces energy bills, provides access to solar energy, and provides health and safety improvements to homes. All services are made available at no cost to eligible low-income farmworker households. LIWP, part of California Climate Investments, is an energy efficiency and renewable energy generation program administered by CSD that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and provides important co-benefits to households and communities including energy cost savings and job creation and training opportunities.
The Farmworker Housing Component has been adminstered by La Cooperativa Campesina de California. La Cooperativa, a nonprofit corporation, was established in 1995 with the mission to improve the lives of California's farmworkers, their families, and rural communities through advocacy and service. La Cooperativa and a team of partner organizations that included MAROMA Energy Services and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Agencies led efforts across twelve counties with the highest farmworker populations to enroll eligible farmworker households and install energy saving and solar measures in single-family dwellings and buildings of 2-4 units.
These energy efficiency measures include:
Insulation
Central Heating and Cooling System Upgrades
Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators and Freezers
Lighting Upgrades
Water Heater Replacement
Window Replacement
Rooftop Solar PV Systems