Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
The Salt River Project is donating $275,000 to support FSL’s Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Program, which helps eliminate heat-related hazards in low-income homes.
The funds will also provide nutritious meals for seniors and support several upcoming community events, FSL representatives tell the Digital Free Press.
“We’re incredibly grateful for SRP’s continued support,” said Tami Bohannon, president and CEO, FSL. “Seniors and low-income families in Arizona are at higher risk for developing health conditions when they live in poor home conditions or lack access to healthy meals. SRP has been a steadfast partner for many years and we’re very appreciative of their ongoing commitment to helping Arizonans age with confidence!”
Summer temperatures can range from 105 – 115 degrees during the day in the desert. This grant has already made a significant impact, supporting individuals with disabilities (59%), people over the age of 60 (63%), and households with incomes of less than $25,000 (67%).
The average renovation cost per home was $8,900, FSL representatives say.
“At SRP, we are committed to supporting the communities we serve,” said Rori Minor, community engagement strategist at SRP. “By partnering with FSL, we are able to provide critical resources such as air conditioning and nutritious meals to help families and seniors in need.”
The Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Pilot Program was created to eliminate heat-related hazards for vulnerable, low-income households in Yuma, Pinal, Yavapai County, and La Paz Counties, as well as metropolitan Phoenix.
This program provides free repair or replacement of an eligible homeowners’ air conditioning system in 2024. Furthermore, the program provides valuable insights to better understand the benefits and costs of providing emergency air- conditioning repair or replacement assistance to the most heat- vulnerable seniors in our community, making their homes safer during the hot summer months.