On scorching days in Los Angeles, many low-income renters are left to battle oppressive heat without adequate cooling options.
Yecenia Lopez, a resident of Bell, is among those who find relief by filling her bathtub with water and sitting in it until the heat begins to ease.
With no air conditioning in her apartment, she struggles to implement less effective cooling methods such as strategically opening and closing windows and consuming large amounts of water.
The lasting impact of extreme heat affects her sleep, making it even more challenging for her to cope.
A recent study conducted by Strategic Actions for a Just Economy (SAJE) sheds light on how increased temperatures impact renters like Lopez throughout Los Angeles.
The nonprofit organization interviewed 58 mainly low-income tenants, revealing that most did not have air conditioning due to either the inability to afford it or restrictions imposed by landlords.
Lopez expressed her desire for air conditioning but highlighted her fear of the accompanying high electricity bills.
She emphasized the need for city intervention to help renters manage the extreme heat.
The finances involved in cooling options are daunting for many renters, as the cost of air conditioning remains a significant concern.
Though multiple interviewees conveyed a preference for landlords to provide air conditioning at no extra cost, some expressed doubts about the effectiveness of window units commonly found in Los Angeles apartment complexes.
One renter, facing the risk of power outages, shared that she had two air conditioning units but could not use them, opting instead to sleep with ice packs on her feet.
Even seeking relief outside the home comes at a price, as renters struggle with transportation costs to travel to cooler locations like beaches or restaurants.
Deficient public transport also hampers access to the city’s free cooling centers, where tenants may face long waits without protection from the sun.
Currently, California state law mandates that landlords provide heating systems capable of maintaining temperatures at or above 70 degrees in residential units.
However, there is no legal requirement for cooling, leaving many renters vulnerable to extreme heat.
The California Department of Housing and Community Development recently proposed establishing a maximum safe indoor temperature of 82 degrees for residential settings.
Moreover, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is considering implementing similar regulations to address the dire issue of extreme heat and associated health risks.
Their resolution takes a strong stance, stating that “Extreme heat is the deadliest climate risk facing Los Angeles County.”
Despite such proposals, opposition remains from local landlord groups, who cite the high costs of compliance as a reason for resistance.
Tenant advocates, however, believe that the proposed measures do not go far enough in ensuring tenant safety.
Chelsea Kirk, a report author for SAJE, voiced her support for the implementation of a temperature threshold but raised concerns over its potential effectiveness due to lack of enforcement.
Kirk stated, “This policy isn’t really gonna work for our members.”
Several municipalities, such as Palm Springs, have implemented stricter cooling mandates, requiring residential facilities to maintain indoor temperatures of 80 degrees or cooler, particularly during extreme summer conditions.
The current summer heat has been exacerbated for renters like Yecenia Lopez by the rise of immigration raids in their neighborhoods.
In the past, walking to local parks served as a method for families to escape the heat.
However, the recent federal actions have instilled fear in the community, leading many, including Lopez, to avoid outdoor spaces altogether.
“All my neighbors feel the same way,” Lopez remarked.
“We can’t go on our walks anymore. We can’t take our kids to the park and try to escape the heat.”
As summer progresses, Lopez and her neighbors are left with limited options.
They find themselves confined to their courtyards behind locked gates or indoors within poorly ventilated apartments that can feel more like ovens than safe havens.
image source from：boyleheightsbeat
