Eligibility

The Cooling Portland program is no longer accepting applications for cooling units.

If you previously applied, 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. If you have questions about the program, your unit, or the status of your application, please call 3-1-1.

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.

Community-based organizations

The following organizations served 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)

We worked hard to support everyone who qualifies for help. However, Cooling Portland’s team had the right to stop communication and deny service if a person used harmful, threatening language, or engaged in disrespectful behavior toward staff, partners, or workers installing units in homes.

Housing Provider CDPs

If an applicant lived in a housing unit managed by one of the following housing providers in the Cooling Portland Program, they could contact their property manager to determine eligibility. Housing providers were only serving people who lived in the housing that they managed.

• Central City Concern
• Home Forward (Note: Residents who live in the city of Portland could apply online.)
• Northwest Housing Alternatives
• REACH CDC

Eligibility and people with vulnerabilities 

Cooling Portland provided 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 were 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 applicants did not have two or more of the above risk factors, they were placed on a waitlist and assigned to a CDP once 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, 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 80%, 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.