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 211. 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 one of the community-based organizations listed below to request a cooling unit, and they will help you through the process. The following organizations are serving low-income Portlanders and have intake processes to determine eligibility and prioritization.
Please understand that there may be a waitlist to receive a unit.
- African American Alliance for Homeownership
info@aaah.org
503-595-3517 - APANO
goodgrowth@apano.org
971-340-4861 - Ecumenical Ministry of Oregon (EMO)
503-221-1054 ext 218 - Latino Network
503-863-0022 - Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA)
503-972-2464 - Northwest Native Chamber (NWNC) - Takes applications year-round. Apply now.
coolingpdx@nwnc.org
503-894-4525
Apply online - Somali American Council of Oregon (SACOO)
503-719-7679 - Verde
heatresponse@verdenw.org
541-397-8834 or 541-936-3743
Apply online (English and Spanish)
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
- Innovative Housing
- Northwest Housing Alternatives
- REACH CDC
Eligibility and vulnerable populations
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 the Portland 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.
Vulnerable populations 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.
Additional risk factors related to type of housing and the intersection with vulnerable groups may be used to identify households for distribution of equipment during program implementation.
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.
Questions about the program?
You may contact us about this program at cleanenergyfund@portlandoregon.gov.