PORTLAND, Ore. — This summer, Portland-area residents in need will have easier access to apply for free air conditioning units with hot temperatures approaching.
With summer hot spells already beginning across the Portland area, the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) is teaming up with Portland 311 services to broaden its "Cooling Portland program."
The Cooling Portland program was put into place in 2022 after in June 2021, the city of Portland saw an extreme number of deaths due to the heat. The goal is to install 15,000 cooling units in the homes of low-income people, with over 8,000 cooling units already installed across Portland homes.
While the PCEF has been supplying air conditioning units to people across Portland for two years now, Strategic Partnership and Policy Manager Jaimes Valdez stressed the importance of partnering with 311 saying, "Integrating PDX 311 allows us to connect with Portlanders in need and keep people safe ahead of the next heat wave or cold snap."
Eligible applicants will receive a portable device that can both cool during hot summers and provide heat during the winters. To be eligible, applicants must live in the city of Portland, and have an income size that is 60% or less of the area median income, adjusted for household size.
To apply for a free air conditioning unit, people can either talk to a PDX 311 employee by calling 311 or filling out this webform through the city of Portland.
While the city does intend on distributing as many air conditioning units as possible to those in need, they prioritize those over the age of 60, those who live alone and those who have medical needs.
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