JFLA Provides Heat Relief with our new Lending Program

air conditioning unit

JFLA has a longstanding tradition of offering interest-free, no-fee loans to assist Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara communities in various aspects of their lives. As Southern California experiences increasingly hotter temperatures, a new trend has emerged to address the critical need for heat relief solutions. 

Los Angeles has seen a significant increase in average temperatures, with heatwaves becoming more frequent and intense. In fact, it is predicted that Los Angeles will experience 59 extremely hot days per year by 2025, a 31% increase from historical averages.* This trend poses various risks and challenges to residents, particularly those in older homes or buildings with inadequate heat-proofing and cooling systems. This is especially true in marginalized communities that are not well-resourced to combat climate change. The introduction of the Heat Relief Lending Program ensures that communities can maintain comfortable and safe living temperatures in a region that is increasingly impacted by heat.

Potential Loans to Offer

  • Heat relief loans can include any of the following:
    • Home improvements including:
    • Adding or upgrading insulation
    • Window upgrades including reflective coatings, replacing old windows with energy-efficient units
    • Roofing upgrades with reflective coatings or materials that absorb less heat or reflect sunlight
    • Ventilation improvements like installing vents, fans, breezeways, etc.
    • Cool or reflective paint
    • Landscaping improvements like planting trees, shrubs, and other vegetation
    • Solar reflective pavements
  • Air conditioning loans to assist in purchasing, installing, and/or repairing energy efficient air conditioning units. This can include central air conditioning systems, heat pumps, and high-efficiency window or portable units.

*https://www.climate4la.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Turning-Down-The-Heat-Addressing-Heat-Inequities-of-Frontline-Communities-in-Los-Angeles.pdf

JFLA Assistant