PORTLAND, Ore. — We're just beginning the summer months in the Pacific Northwest, with many hotter days ahead. For many Portlanders, especially those most vulnerable to the heat, it can be a dangerous time without an air conditioning unit.
Earlier this month, the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) — which had already distributed nearly 9,000 units — announced it was teaming up with Portland 311 services to broaden its Cooling Portland program. 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.
"This program came about in response to the deadly 2021 heat dome event that we had, where over 70 people lost their lives tragically here in Multnomah County," said Jaimes Valdez, with PCEF. "Cooling Portland is really a climate resilience program. It’s a multiyear program with the goal of installing 15,000 cooling units and peoples homes over that five-year period."
Those who've received a unit say it's made a world of difference.
"It's a blessing for us to have that," said Virginia, who's had one for a year. "It's been really, really good because I have to do dialysis at home."
This week, Lori Johnson had her free unit installed in Northeast Portland.
"I'm so full of gratitude, definitely," she said. "Obviously, it's going to be comfortable."
A couple of years ago, that wasn't the case for her. The deadly heat event forced her out of her apartment.
"I ended up having to leave my home and rent a room somewhere because it had gotten so hot," Johnson explained. "It makes you a little bit nervous that it could happen again."
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. 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.
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has also tapped into a federal program for Medicaid members who are 65 and up, or who have a condition made worse by smoke or heat.
"We're really the only state in the country to roll out a set of new benefits that really tries to focus Medicaid a little bit more upstream to try to prevent people from going to the emergency room or keep them healthy. One way to do that is to keep them cool, especially with heat and heat emergencies and and the climate warming," explained Dave Baden with OHA.
Click here to see if you quality for the city's program, and to see other cooling options.