EASE Home Supports First-Time Homebuyers Upgrade their 1970s Home

When Mirza and Jorge Guzman-Cruz moved into their Napa home in the summer of 2025, it marked a meaningful return to their hometown. After spending years living in different parts of the Bay Area, the Guzman-Cruz family was excited to finally put down roots in Napa and bring new life to their property.

The home, built in 1973, was purchased at a great price—but it also carried the realities of owning an older property. Drafty walls and an under-insulated space allowed heat to escape in the winter and build up during the summer, making it difficult to maintain comfortable temperatures. As first-time homeowners, the couple quickly realized that improving the home would require more than cosmetic fixes.

Determined to make their home healthier and more comfortable for their family, Mirza began searching for available resources. While browsing the Napa County website, she came across BayREN’s EASE Home Program, which supports income-qualified residents with home improvements that support health, comfort, and energy efficiency. While many programs in the Bay Area focus on low-income households, EASE Home is uniquely designed to support moderate-income homeowners—families who often earn too much to qualify for traditional assistance programs but face cost barriers to essential home upgrades.

“At first, we thought we didn’t qualify for the program,” Mirza said. “But we did qualify, and we only had to pay a small percentage of the total cost of the repairs.” Eligible households earning up to 120% of their county’s Area Median Income (AMI) can receive assistance through the program, helping families like the Guzman-Cruz’s make significant improvements.

After applying, the process moved quickly. The family received a personalized project proposal, identifying opportunities to improve their home. In January 2026, the home received major upgrades through the program, including insulation in the walls and attic to address significant heat loss, along with whole-home air sealing and other improvements.

The changes made an immediate difference. Their home now stays more comfortable during periods of extreme heat and cold. The improvements have also helped reduce their energy bills.

Mirza describes EASE Home as a “great program” that benefits both homeowners and the environment on a recent Univision segment.

“It helps the environment and our pockets,” she said. “It’s a win-win in every way.”

With their home now more comfortable and efficient, Mirza and Jorge are eager to continue improving their space and creating a place where their child can grow up and where family and friends can gather for years to come.

Learn more about the program and see if you qualify at BayREN.org/EASE-home.