For unhoused population, extreme heat can be life-threatening 

Rochester recorded temperatures into the 90s this July—and for people living without shelter, extreme heat can be more dangerous than winter cold, advocates for the unhoused say.

Amy D’Amico, founder of Rochester Grants Pass Resistance, an organization that supports unhoused people, says extreme heat can exacerbate existing health problems. Certain illicit and legal medications can make people more sensitive to heat, while other drugs may degrade in high temperatures.

While some individuals can stay in emergency shelters, D’Amico says it isn’t feasible for a large portion of the unhoused population. Many shelters reject those with county Department of Human Services sanctions, which a person can get for missing an exemption form or a DHS appointment. 

Without a permanent residence, D’Amico says, individuals often miss appointments simply because their reminder letters are mailed to addresses they cannot check daily. Securing accommodation at a shelter is often more challenging for couples, pet owners, those struggling with substance abuse, and individuals who are queer or disabled.

The city’s Extreme Heat Plan, created by the Office of Energy and Sustainability to combat the effects of climate change, identifies homeless individuals as a vulnerable population. One EHP initiative, the Cool Sweep Program, aims to help both housed and unhoused people by providing public access to cool locations such as air-conditioned buildings and swimming pools around the city when temperatures reach 85 degrees. However, the EHP notes several gaps in access, including that the most vulnerable populations may be unaware of the program and that there is no coverage on Sundays and some evening hours.

Aside from the Cool Sweep, EHP initiatives include extreme heat preparation and education before high temperatures are expected, and National Weather Service advisories and warnings during heat waves. The EHP mentions distributing “extreme heat preparedness kits.” While warnings may be beneficial to the general public, they are unlikely to help a person with no place to stay, advocates for the homeless say.

Gary Harding, a founder of Recovery All Ways, a nonprofit organization that supports unhoused people, appreciates the EHP but believes that it is currently insufficient. Harding questions how someone experiencing homelessness would be made aware of the Cool Sweep program, whether they could reasonably travel to the cool locations, and whether they would be allowed there.

“For those folks that are really battling or experiencing mental health issues, are they even going to be allowed into some of these spaces?” Harding says. “Generally speaking, if someone is having an episode or in psychosis, they’re not going to be allowed to stay.”

The EHP itself notes this issue, stating “the homeless community is most likely not welcomed due to how they appear and potential mental health challenges.”

Harding also worries that some unhoused individuals may hesitate to go to a cooling location even if they could access one for fear of judgment, but he believes it is still helpful to encourage people to go inside.

D’Amico shares similar thoughts, saying that a short conversation urging an unhoused person to go to the library on a hot day could be life-saving. She explains that giving people cash is also effective, because it could allow them to go into an air-conditioned store. While some might use the money to buy drugs, D’Amico points out that it could treat withdrawal symptoms and allow them to feel well enough to enter a public establishment. 

“Unfortunately, they’re not all going to get clean today just because you think it’s a good idea. It’s really about reducing harm,” she says.

Those who wish to help can also hand out frozen water bottles or electrolyte-rich beverages. Harding says someone may be panhandling in the heat because they are thirsty, and giving them a drink might help them find a cooler location.

Although giving money and drinks to an unhoused person can help them, both Harding and D’Amico recognize that it isn’t always feasible to do so. They encourage people to have conversations with homeless community members even if they cannot give them anything.

“I can’t tell you how many times people have thanked me just for talking to them,” Harding says.

Aiko Levick, a student at Rochester Institute of Technology, is a member of the Oasis Project’s third cohort.

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