Thank you for your interest in the Cooling Portland program. Applications are closed currently and will reopen in March 2025. We appreciate your patience and understanding as our program partners work to serve our community by reviewing and processing existing applications.
If you have any questions or concerns, contact 3-1-1 or by emailing 311@portlandoregon.gov.
In case of a heat emergency
If you or a loved one are experiencing a heat emergency, we urge you to seek a public cooling space or call 311. For more information about how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion and how to find a cooling shelter or transportation during a heat emergency, visit PublicAlerts.
Who to contact for a cooling unit
Community-based organizations
Please contact 311 via phone or fill the intake form below to be connected to one of the community-based organizations listed. 311 operators can help you through the process.
Please understand that there is a waitlist to receive a unit. Eligible applicants will be prioritized based on the following risk factors: over 60 years of age, have medical conditions that increase risk of heat-related illness, and are living alone.
The following organizations are serving as CDPs in the Cooling Portland program.
- African American Alliance for Homeownership
- APANO
- Ecumenical Ministry of Oregon (EMO)
- Latino Network
- Northwest Native Chamber (NWNC)
- Somali American Council of Oregon (SACOO)
- Verde
Housing Provider CDPs
If you live in a housing unit managed by one of the following housing providers in the Cooling Portland Program, you can contact your property manager to determine if you are eligible to receive a cooling unit. Housing providers are currently only serving people who live in the housing that they manage.
- Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare
- Central City Concern
- Home Forward
- Northwest Housing Alternatives
- REACH CDC
Eligibility and people with vulnerabilities
Cooling Portland provides life-saving and efficient portable heat pump/cooling equipment to Portland’s low-income residents, prioritizing those most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat fueled by climate change.
In order to be eligible to receive a cooling unit, a recipient must live in the city of Portland, and have an income that is 60% or less of the Area Median Income, adjusted for household size. View annual income and household size thresholds on thePortland Housing Bureau's website.
For the distribution of efficient portable heat pump/cooling equipment in the Cooling Portland program, people who are most at risk are being prioritized by distribution partners.
People with vulnerabilities are defined as people with low incomes and who also have two or more of the following risk factors:
- Are over 60 years of age.
- Have medical conditions that increase risk of heat-related illness.
- Are living alone.
If you do not have two or more of the above risk factors, you will be placed on a waitlist and assigned to a CDP once our priority applicants have received their units.
Additional cooling resources
You may be eligible to receive a cooling unit from your medical provider, whether you live in Portland or in another city:
You may be eligible to receive a cooling unit from your medical provider if you are covered by one of the following organizations: CareOregon, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy, OHSU Health, Providence. Visit Health Share Oregon or call 503-416-8090 for more information.
For people covered by Trillium Community Health Plan, call 877-600-5472 or 541-485-2155 or TTY 711.
For additional resources from the Oregon Health Authority, email the OHA Ombuds Program or call 877-642-0450 (message line only) or TTY 711.
Concerned about your utility bills?
We have made every effort to provide cooling units that are efficient and affordable to use. Operating a cooling unit may increase your electric usage. If you need assistance with electric bills, you could be eligible for discount programs and assistance through your electric utility.
PGE customers
Portland General Electric offers an income-qualified bill discount between 15% and 60%, based on annual income and household size, off your monthly electric bill, along with other energy assistance programs.
To apply
- Visit: portlandgeneral.com/pgediscount
- Call: 503-228-6322
Pacific Power customers
Pacific Power offers an income-qualified bill discount of up to 40% off your monthly electric bill and other energy assistance programs for Oregon customers.
To apply
- Visit: pacificpower.net
- Call: 1-888-221-7070 for more information.
More resources to help lower your utility bills in Portland
NW Natural customers
The NW Natural Bill Discount Program for income-qualifying customers in Oregon can save you 15% to 40% on your monthly gas bills. The application takes only a few minutes to complete.
To apply
- Visit: nwnatural.com/BillDiscount
- Call: 503-226-4211 or 800-422-4012, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Email: csst@nwnatural.com
Portland Water Bureau customers
The financial assistance program provides bill discounts and other forms of assistance to income-qualified, single-family residential customers for sewer, stormwater, and water bills.
To apply
- Visit: www.portland.gov/water/financialassistance
- Email: PWBCustomerService@portlandoregon.gov
- Call: 503-823-7770
Questions about the program?
You may contact us about this program at cleanenergyfund@portlandoregon.gov.