The Los Angeles heat wave shows no signs of slowing down with humidity on the rise and temps in the 100’s out near Palm Springs.
Mayor Karen Bass announced her Climate Action Plan with the installation of 1,066 energy-efficient air conditioning units for residents living at Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) properties.
The announcement was made at Nickerson Gardens, where Mayor Bass was joined by Congresswoman Maxine Waters, leaders from HACLA and LADWP, and residents, underscoring the City’s commitment to climate resilience and environmental justice.
The investment demonstrates how the City’s Climate Action Plan is delivering tangible benefits for Angelenos by helping residents adapt to increasingly frequent and severe heat, reducing household energy costs, improving energy efficiency, and expanding access to energy-efficient housing improvements and climate resilience investments in communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change.
“As temperatures continue to rise across Los Angeles, protecting residents from extreme heat is both a public health priority and a climate priority,” said Mayor Bass. “This investment will help families stay safe, lower their energy bills, and improve residents’ quality of life. That’s what our Climate Action Plan is about — delivering practical solutions that improve people’s lives today while building a healthier and more resilient Los Angeles for generations to come.”
“I am so pleased to have been able to assist Mayor Karen Bass and HACLA with the installation of air conditioners for public housing residents as part of the City of Los Angeles’ Climate Action Plan,” said Congresswoman Waters. “I am especially pleased that I was able to secure more than $4 million in federal Community Project funding to jumpstart this initiative for air conditioners in the Nickerson Gardens, Imperial Courts, Gonzaque Village, and Jordan Downs facilities in my district.”
“As extreme heat becomes more common, we have a responsibility to make sure every family has a safe, comfortable place to come home to, especially during dangerous heat events,” said Councilmember Tim McOsker. “By expanding access to energy-efficient cooling, we’re helping families stay healthy, lower their energy costs, and better prepare our communities for the challenges of a changing climate. Efforts like this remind us that meeting the needs of our public housing communities takes partnership, innovation, and a willingness to find creative solutions. This investment shows what we can accomplish when we work together.”
The project is part of the City’s Heat Mitigation Home Improvement Program (HMHIP), launched to help protect residents from increasingly frequent and severe heat by improving energy efficiency and indoor comfort in vulnerable communities. Through a partnership between the Mayor’s Office, HACLA, and LADWP, the program upgrades public housing communities while helping residents maintain safe indoor temperatures during extreme heat. The program leverages rebates available through LADWP’s Cool LA initiative to purchase energy-efficient air conditioning units in bulk, reducing costs and accelerating installation across HACLA properties. The investment reflects the City’s commitment to ensuring communities that have historically experienced the greatest environmental burdens are among the first to benefit from climate resilience improvements.
“Every family deserves a home that is safe, healthy, and resilient — especially as extreme heat becomes a growing threat across Los Angeles,” said Lourdes Castro Ramírez, President and CEO of HACLA. “This partnership with Mayor Bass, LADWP, and our City leaders shows what is possible when we work together with urgency and purpose. By expanding access to energy‑efficient cooling, we are protecting our residents’ health today while strengthening the long‑term well‑being of our public housing communities.”
“As extreme heat intensifies, reliable access to cooling is no longer optional — it’s essential,” said David W. Hanson, LADWP Interim General Manager. “Through our Cool LA Initiative, we’re proud to help deliver affordable, energy-efficient cooling solutions to families who need them most and ensure their health, safety and resiliency.”
Mayor Bass released the City’s Climate Action Plan for Los Angeles in April 2026, establishing more than 50 measurable actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate resilience, expand clean energy, and improve public health. The Plan prioritizes investments that deliver immediate benefits for Angelenos while ensuring communities most impacted by climate change and pollution are among the first to benefit from the City’s transition to a cleaner, more sustainable future. To assist in implementing her Climate Action Plan, Mayor Bass recently appointed a new Director for the Climate Emergency and Mobilization Office and Chief Heat Officer Daniela Simunovic to coordinate citywide efforts to protect Angelenos from the growing impacts of extreme heat. Ms. Simunovic brings over twenty-years of experience working on environmental justice and climate issues in California.
Today’s announcement builds on the City’s broader climate progress under Mayor Bass’ leadership. Los Angeles is now coal-free, has completed the Eland Solar-plus-Storage Center—one of the nation’s largest solar and battery storage facilities— and has doubled the number of electric vehicle chargers across the city. Also the Groundwater Replenishment Project located at the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant in Van Nuys is currently under construction and will purify up to 45 million gallons of water a day once operational in 2028. Together, these accomplishments underscore the City’s commitment to implementing its Climate Action Plan through measurable actions that protect public health, bolster climate resilience, and improve quality of life for Angelenos.
To learn more about Mayor Bass’ Climate Action Plan, visit: plan.mayor.lacity.gov.
