Funding Wizard

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. This new LIWP Farmworker Housing Component will increase the energy efficiency of homes owned or rented by farmworker families; reduce energy bills; provide access to solar energy; and provide health and safety improvements to homes. All services will be provided 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.

CSD selected La Cooperativa Campesina de California as the Administrator for the Farmworker Housing Component though a competitive procurement and a funding award of approximately $10.7 million. 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 previously served as a Regional Administrator for LIWP's Single-Family Energy Efficiency and Solar PV Program in a region that included Imperial, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, and San Diego Counties. While this program was not focused solely on farmworker housing, many farmworker households were able to benefit from accessing services under the program. La Cooperativa and a team of partner organizations that includes MAROMA Energy Services and Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Agencies will lead 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 may include:
Insulation, Central Heating and Cooling System Upgrades, Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators and Freezers, Lighting Upgrades, Water Heater Replacement, Window Replacement, Rooftop Solar PV systems

The Clean Truck and Bus Vouchers program provides vouchers for the purchase of advanced technology heavy-duty trucks and buses to support the long-term transition to zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty market, as well as supporting investments in other emerging technology to help meet health-based ambient air quality standards, and achieve substantial greenhouse gas reductions.

The program provides application assistance, partnership development and capacity building activities for eligible California Climate Investments applicants and is administered by the Strategic Growth Council to create more equitable opportunities by helping under-resourced applicants access funding.

The California Climate Investments Technical Assistance Program supports communities in applying to the California Climate Investments (CCI) funding programs. Created in 2016, the program aims to level the playing field for applicants that may lack the capacity to successfully access these funds, particularly those in that live in the state’s most disadvantaged communities. The Strategic Growth Council (SGC) works alongside a number of State agencies that implement CCI programs to provide application assistance, partnership development and capacity building activities to eligible applicants, enabling them to positively impact their communities. 

Each California Climate Investments program has its own set of goals and intended outcomes, meaning specific technical expertise is often required. In order to provide assistance that is tailored to each program, the SGC has divided resources amongst many of the agencies that administer programs. In many cases, technical assistance is provided through a partnership between state agencies and outside organizations with expertise in each program’s focus. A description of each of the participating CCI programs is listed below.

The SAFER program supports permanent and sustainable drinking water solutions that ensure all Californians have access to safe, affordable, and reliable drinking water.

The primary purpose of the SAFER program is to bring true environmental justice to California and address the continuing disproportionate environmental burdens in the state by creating a fund that will assist in providing safe drinking water in every California community, for every Californian.  SAFER funds will help water systems provide a safe, accessible, and affordable supply of drinking water to communities in both the near and long terms by accelerating implementation of short- and long-term drinking water solutions, moving water systems to more efficient modes of operation, providing short-term operation and maintenance support as a bridge until long-term sustainable solutions are in place, and providing long-term operation and maintenance support when necessary.

The program was established from the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water (SADW) Fund through Senate Bill 200 (SB200) in 2019. The Fund will provide $130 million per year that will be used to ensure that one million Californians who currently lack safe drinking water receive safe & affordable drinking water as quickly as possible. The SAFER program also aims to reach sustainable operations for all of the state’s drinking water systems and is a critical element for achieving the goals of safe, accessible, and affordable water for all Californians.

Projects and/or services that are eligible for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Funds must address: 1) existing or potential water quality compliance issues;  2) Technical, Managerial, or Financial capacity deficiencies that prevent a system from sustainably providing safe and affordable drinking water; and 3) improvements to public water systems, community water systems, state small water systems and domestic wells that are in violation or considered at-risk.

Corpsmembers aged 18 – 25 years old complete a year of paid service and receive on-the-job training while completing projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Energy Corps projects include energy efficiency audits and retrofits. Individuals can apply to participate in the Energy Corps and organizations can apply to provide projects for the Energy Corps.

The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) provides financial incentives for implementation and/or demonstration of on-farm conservation management practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The HSP has two components: the HSP Incentives Program and the HSP Demonstration Projects. The HSP Incentives Program provides financial assistance for implementation of conservation management that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The HSP Demonstration Projects showcase California farmers and rancher's implementation of HSP practices.

Provides technical assistance and incentives for the installation of energy efficiency measures and solar PV in low-income multi-family dwellings serving priority populations. These projects reduce residential energy demand and GHG emissions. Low-income residents that participate in this program benefit from lower energy costs. The program also helps preserve affordable housing by reducing owner operating costs.

CSD modeled its Multi-Family Program to improve the energy efficiency of multi-family buildings and achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions. Each building is thoroughly assessed and evaluated both visually and through the use of diagnostic energy audit tools to determine a suite of greenhouse gas reducing energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for installation and living in common areas.

The Association for Energy Affordability, Inc (AEA) serves as the statewide administrator of the LIWP Multi-Family Program. AEA conducts energy audits and modeling to identify energy efficiency measures and renewables for installation in qualifying multi-family buildings, with assistance and incentives to property owners towards agreed-upon scopes of work.

The SoCalGas On-Bill Financing (OBF) program offers qualified business customers as well as multi-family residential owners 0% financing from $5,000 to $100,000 per meter for qualifying natural gas equipment. All institutional customers (i.e. counties, cities, school districts, etc.) as well as low-income multifamily owners may receive $5,000 to $250,000 per meter, and State of California can borrow up to $1,000,000 for one service account.

The program is open to all non-residential customers, including owners of multi-family units who do not live on premises. Participants must have had an active account for the past two years and good credit standing as determined by the Utility. The funds may be used for a wide variety of efficiency improvement projects, and the monthly loan payments will be added directly to the customer's bill. Monthly energy savings help to offset the monthly loan charges.  Review the program web site for additional information.

PG&E is providing 0% loans for energy efficiency projects pursued by their non-residential customers. Financing is available to fund many technologies, including lighting, HVAC, electric motors, LED street lights, refrigeration, food service equipment and water pumps. Projects may be eligible for for financing if it qualifies for a rebate or incentive through a PG&E program.

Loan funds must be used to purchase and install qualifying energy-efficient equipment. Customers may use a contractor or self-install the equipment. PG&E will inspect the facility before the old equipment is removed, and again after the new products are operating.

Loan terms and monthly payment amounts are determined based on the equipment's estimated monthly savings. Business customers may qualify for loans between $5,000 and $100,000, with loan periods of up to 5 years. Government agencies may qualify for loans between $5,000 and $4,000,000 per PG&E meter, with loan periods of up to 10 years.

A Green Business Program is a community building program. A Green Business recognition program is a positive bridge between government agencies and businesses. It can be a powerful incentive for businesses to take advantage of government assistance to conserve resources and save money. It also engages the public to patronize businesses that operate more sustainably. The Green Business Program can also help government agencies meet City/County sustainability goals through GHG reductions, resource conservation mandates. These goals might those mandated in a Climate Action Plan or outlined in solid waste diversion or water conservation targets. A Green Business Program can also improve environmental compliance by encouraging businesses to adopt numerous “beyond compliance” related to waste reduction, pollution prevention, and water conservation.

Here’s some of what you get from CAGBN if your region is selected for funding:

• $30,000 first year funding;
• Training, mentorship and support;
• Waive your first year member fees to the network;
• Recruitment resources;
• Marketing: adwords, key business outlets, social media;
• Window Clings, certificates to give to certified businesses;
• Web based tracking system (green business program in-a-box);
• Sector specific checklists;
• Collaboration with peers and;
• Likely ongoing funding that exceeds member dues.