City Completes First Part of Solar Installation Program For Low-Income Residents

The Pasadena Housing and Career Services Department has completed the first part of its eight solar installation projects for low-income homeowners to help them reduce their monthly utility bills.

The first project in the department’s “Under One Roof” program covered the houses located at 1710 Casa Grande St. and at 944 E. Howard St.

The project is funded by the first Community Development Block grant and is co-headed by Pasadena Water and Power, nonprofit Grid Alternatives and the Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County.

The solar panels were installed by trainees enrolled in the city’s job placement program called Maintenance Assistance and Service to Homeowners (MASH). Housing Director Bill Huang said the project will enable MASH trainees, who were formerly long-term unemployed residents, to learn green technology job skills “to make them more marketable for green technology jobs.”

“It is our expectation that some MASH trainees will be able to secure full-time permanent positions in the solar industry,” the statement said.

Huang added that the Under One Roof” program will “reduce the carbon footprint of houses” and “enhance the size and effectiveness of the solar systems.”

Low-income residents who are interested in joining the “Under One Roof” program may contact Michael Kadish of Grid Alternatives at (310) 735-9780.