Record-breaking heatwaves and Santa Ana winds are just some of the harsh weather conditions taking a toll on homeowners in the Inland Valley. Now, imagine living in a home ill-equipped to be in these conditions for over two years. Unfortunately, this was the reality for long-time Coachella Valley resident Jose Delgado and his two sons.
For over two years, Mr. Delgado and his sons lived in dire circumstances; a home without power and an unsanitary failing septic system. Living on a very low annual income, Mr. Delgado relied on his monthly disability payments to provide necessities, so emergency spending was just not within his budget.
For the last two years, Mr. Delgado went through nine different power generators to bring electric power and make conditions livable in his mobile home. Mr. Delgado spent over $900 just on propane tanks to power the generators.
These unlivable conditions were affecting Mr. Delgado and his family's health and mental well-being. Fortunately, Mr. Delgado was referred to NPHS for assistance. Through the County of Riverside Senior Home Rehabilitation Grant Program, NPHS provided $25,000 funding to bring back electrical distribution to Mr. Delgado’s home, install a new septic system, and pay for his mobile home’s site permit in addition to other repairs.
“If it wasn’t for the grant, I think I would have been without power to this very day. It was all because of NPHS,” said Mr. Delgado. “Out here in the Coachella Valley, it gets hot, especially during the summer. In my mobile home, just 80-degree weather can make the inside of my home unbearably hot.”
