Alameda Point Collaborative Gets $50K for Heat Pump Heaters

Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) has awarded Alameda Point Collaborative $50,000, the most its building electrification grant program gives out, to put heat pump water heaters in 20 homes at Alameda Point in Alameda, CA.

• Where: Alameda Point Collaborative's permanent supportive housing at Alameda Point
• What: 20 natural gas water heaters replaced with electric heat pump water heaters
• How much: $50,000, the program's maximum award
• Who's behind it: Alameda Municipal Power, the city-owned utility at 2000 Grand Street
• What's next: The next grant round takes applications Jan. 1 through March 31, 2027

What is the AMP building electrification grant?

It's a pot of money AMP uses to help local nonprofits and community groups ditch gas appliances for electric ones.

The announcement on AMP's website says the Community Benefit Building Electrification Grant Program pays for swapping fossil-fuel systems, like gas furnaces and water heaters, for heat pump heating and hot water. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, community organizations, and certain government-owned or low-income apartment properties in Alameda.

Who is Alameda Point Collaborative, and what do they get?

Alameda Point Collaborative provides permanent supportive housing at Alameda Point, and it's getting 20 new heat pump water heaters.

The group serves more than 500 residents across 121 homes. Do the math and the grant works out to about $2,500 for each of the 20 water heaters. AMP and Collaborative board members marked the award with a ceremonial check presentation.

Executive Director Andrea Urton said the grant process was "straightforward and well supported," and that better efficiency "strengthens our supportive housing program." AMP's Customer Programs Supervisor Jarrod Juanitas said the project "will reduce emissions and support a more sustainable future for the community."

Why does a water heater swap matter?

A heat pump water heater runs on electricity and moves heat instead of burning gas, so it uses less energy to make the same hot water.

That's good news for a housing program watching its budget. AMP also says the project cuts emissions. And because AMP is public power, owned by the people it serves, this money is a local program, not a faraway one.

What happens next?

AMP will take new applications from Jan. 1, 2027, through March 31, 2027, and says it will announce awards on June 15, 2027.

If you run a nonprofit or a community building in Alameda and your furnace or water heater runs on gas, now's the time to start planning. AMP is nudging eligible groups to get their buildings ready. For more stories like this one, browse our Alameda community news.