COUNTY AWARDED $9.9 MILLION FROM FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Funding to Assist Approximately 900 Residents
Affected by Airport Noise
Alhambra, July 20, 2021 – The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) has been awarded a grant in the amount of $9.9 million from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to fund the agency’s Residential Sound Insulation Program (RSIP), assisting communities near the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Through the RSIP, over 200 residences including single and multi-family dwellings located in the unincorporated communities of Athens, Del Aire, and Lennox, are expected to receive assistance. Improvements will be offered at no cost to homeowners and include sound-rated windows, doors, and air conditioning systems, including necessary electrical system upgrades to accommodate air conditioners, and professionally installed in strict compliance with COVID-19 safe construction protocols.
On average, the value of the sound treatment improvements is estimated at $40,000 per residence. To participate, the property owner must submit an application that initiates the property qualification process, which includes the property assessment and required sound testing of the residence, to determine eligibility for the sound insulation treatments.
Congresswoman Maxine Waters, whose 43rd District includes LAX and the unincorporated communities, has been a long-time supporter of the program.
“I am pleased that I was able to make these grants available to my district, where I have received numerous complaints year in and year out about noise emanating from airplane flights over the homes of those in close proximity to LAX. In addition to this recently announced $9 million in grant money, I have long been an advocate for mitigating airport noise and improving the quality of life for residents in our community,” said Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA).“This grant money will go a long way toward retrofitting the homes of residents near LAX and assisting schools in their quest to reduce airport noise in classrooms. While I recognize that LAX is an important economic engine that employs thousands, I remain committed to ensuring that our residents can live, work, and learn in peace and quiet. I have worked to reduce airport noise and will continue to advocate for more mitigation money. With these additional funds, we are one step closer to improving the lives of those who live in the path of LAX. As we move forward, I will continue to work and insist that the FAA provide more resources to assist with the noise from airplanes over homes in our community.”
“I’m pleased that the County will once again receive Federal grant funds to help homeowners in the Lennox, Del Aire, and Athens community mitigate noise pollution in their homes. LAX is the world’s third busiest airport, a plane lands once every minute. As we celebrate our region’s immense draw, we must also take into account that for our communities near the airport, plane traffic is a quality-of-life issue. The Residential Sound Insulation Program directly helps address this issue by providing our communities with grants to upgrade windows, doors, air-conditioning, and ventilation systems,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, whose Second Supervisorial District includes LAX.
“We are thankful for the support provided by Congresswoman Waters and Supervisor Mitchell,” said Emilio Salas, Executive Director, LACDA. “We strive to partner with our local elected officials and work together to improve the quality of life for residents in the unincorporated communities of the County. Wherever possible, it is our goal to bring such much-needed resources at no cost to residents.”
The County’s RSIP has been in operation since 1992, receiving a total of $178 million from the FAA and the Los Angeles World Airport to provide sound insulation improvements. To date, over 4,300 dwellings have been assisted, improving the quality of life for over 19,400 residents in unincorporated communities affected by airport operations.
For more detailed information or to start with the application process, homeowners are encouraged to contact Leonor Pacillas, RSIP Development Specialist, at (626) 586-1815 or [email protected], or Bill Pro, Acting Manager, at (626) 586-1836 or [email protected].
