Extreme temperatures continue to wreak havoc in the Houston area, and many vulnerable families are suffering the consequences of these hot days. That is why Councilwoman Alejandra Salinas announced that she will provide 125 free portable air conditioning units to eligible and in-need city residents.
With this, it is expected that those who receive one of these units will stay safe and cool during this hot summer.
This initiative will benefit eligible residents, including: people aged 60 or older, low-income households, disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and families facing financial difficulties.
“In Houston, access to air conditioning can no longer be a luxury,” said Councilwoman Salinas. “No elderly, veteran, person with a disability, or family struggling to make ends meet should have to endure dangerous indoor temperatures because they cannot afford adequate cooling. These 125 free portable air conditioning units will provide immediate relief to Houston residents who need it most and will help families stay safer and healthier during the heat of the summer,” she added.
Extreme heat poses serious health risks to residents without reliable air conditioning, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income families.
Between 2019 and 2023, the Harris County Public Health Department reported more than 7,600 cases of heat-related illnesses, and local health data show that indoor environments without air conditioning significantly increase the risk of heat-related health complications.
This action adds to Councilwoman Salinas’s broader push to make reliable cooling a basic health and safety standard in Houston.
In July, Councilwoman Salinas introduced a right-to-air-conditioning ordinance that would require rental properties to provide and maintain operable air conditioning in habitable spaces and would close the existing legal gap that allows window screens to serve as a substitute for cooling.
Regarding this initiative, residents can request a portable air conditioning unit through an online application form.
Those who need help submitting their application can contact Councilwoman Salinas’s office at 832-393-3012. Distribution details will be provided to selected recipients.
The application on this website:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=EFqoV4sltEWlGclsdyEJTMqyGeN2da9Ovyf5xhLF_fxURUZYQ1ZRRlE3VFIwOUk3UEY4NldCS1lHVSQlQCN0PWcu
