COOLING PORTLAND

Cooling Portland is a climate resilience program that provides and installs portable heat pump cooling units for Portland residents most vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, particularly low-income individuals and people of color. Launched in response to the deadly June 2021 heat wave, which claimed nearly 100 lives in Oregon, the program aims to reduce the risk of future heatwave deaths. With guidance from community partners such as APANO and the PCEF Grant Committee, the program began in 2022 and plans to distribute up to 15,000 units over five years. In December 2024, the Portland City Council approved a $10.3 million expansion through the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, enabling Cooling Portland to reach 10,000 more households by 2026.