350 Contra Costa is helping lead the way toward a healthier, more equitable East Bay. We recently took a significant step to promote an equitable transition from natural gas to clean electric heat pumps for income-qualified homeowners in Pittsburg and Antioch, convening local nonprofits into the new East Contra Costa Healthy Homes Collaborative.
The collaborative, funded by California Jobs First through the Bay Area Jobs First Collaborative Program (pdf), plans a large-scale home electrification and retrofit initiative. This project aims to enhance comfort, safety, and energy efficiency, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It will also create pathways for residents to access career opportunities in clean-energy construction and building electrification.
Collaborative partners include GRID Alternatives, CocoKids, Healthy and Active Before 5, Lift Up Contra Costa, and Open Opportunities. Another partner, RCF Connects, serves as the fiscal and administrative lead for the project.
Reducing Dangerous Air Pollution
Across the Bay Area, homes now produce more nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter than passenger vehicles. Studies link these pollutants to premature deaths, heart disease, and chronic respiratory illnesses such as asthma. The East Contra Costa Healthy Homes project will tackle these dangers by helping residents reduce pollution. We will accomplish this through energy-efficient retrofits and weatherization. Additionally, we will focus on installing high-efficiency, all-electric appliances. These may include heat-pump HVAC systems, electric water heaters, and solar with battery storage where feasible.
A priority focus will be on home-based child care providers, ensuring cleaner air and greater comfort for both caregivers and the children they serve.
Electrification Equals Environmental Resilience
Gas-burning appliances—such as stoves, furnaces, water heaters, and dryers—release harmful emissions outdoors and degrade indoor air quality. Studies show that gas stoves contribute to roughly 12.7% of childhood asthma cases in the U.S. According to 2022 data from SPUR (San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association), nitrogen oxide and particulate pollution from gas-using buildings is four times higher (pdf) than that produced by the state’s electric power generation.
To meet California’s climate goals and cut greenhouse gas emissions, we must transition away from natural gas and invest in clean, all-electric buildings.
Healthy Jobs: A Just Transition
The Healthy Homes Collaborative is equally focused on building a clean-energy workforce in East Contra Costa. The initiative aims to expand job training programs for women, youth, people of color, and formerly incarcerated residents. It will prepare them for well-paid work in heat pump installation, home electrification, and other climate-friendly construction careers.
Current Progress
The East Contra Costa Healthy Homes Project is now in its information-gathering phase, actively seeking input from you, our residents, community organizations, and other stakeholders. Your insights are crucial in making the program as impactful as possible.
If you live in Pittsburg and Antioch and you are interested in helping with this project please reach out to us at info@350contracostaaction.org.
Stay tuned for updates on this vital effort and other ways 350 Contra Costa is working to improve air quality and advance climate justice. Together we can build a cleaner, healthier future for every household in our community.