Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | City Of Austin website
Mayor Kirk Watson, City Of Austin | City Of Austin website
The City of Austin has announced its participation in a national initiative aimed at protecting communities from the increasing threat posed by extreme heat. Austin joins major cities as part of the C40 Heat, Health, and Equity Challenge Fund, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This effort will see the city's Office of Climate Action and Resilience and Homeless Strategy Office using a $70,000 grant to work with community-based organizations over the next year. The initiative aims to implement community-driven solutions to protect vulnerable residents during the 2025 heat season.
Extreme heat is currently the deadliest weather-related risk in the United States, accounting for over 2,300 deaths annually—a number that has more than doubled in the last two decades. The impact of extreme heat is disproportionately felt by people experiencing homelessness and communities with unequal access to quality housing and healthcare.
The Challenge Fund aids cities in bridging funding gaps and piloting innovative strategies that integrate climate resilience with public health and equity. Supported projects target diverse populations, including those experiencing homelessness in Austin, low-income and elderly residents in Washington, D.C., immigrants and low-income apartment residents in Miami, and outdoor workers in New York City who face extreme heat dangers.
Austin's involvement includes an initiative to enhance heat resilience for the homeless. This effort involves partnering with community organizations to implement cooling solutions and conducting surveys to gather essential data on heat impacts. The goal is to improve city services and strengthen public health responses to decrease heat-related illnesses and fatalities.
Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities, commented, “Our cities are increasingly affected by alarming levels of fossil-fuel driven heat extremes and are working with communities to rapidly develop solutions for protecting the most vulnerable. Austin is demonstrating that ambitious climate action goes beyond reducing emissions to build thriving, resilient, and safe communities for all. By integrating equity into climate resilience strategies, cities are creating a future where every resident can live healthier, more secure lives.”
Zach Baumer, Director of the City of Austin’s Office of Climate Action and Resilience, remarked, “Building climate resilience means addressing the most immediate and severe impacts of our changing climate, and extreme heat is one of the biggest threats we face here in Austin. This project will help us better understand how heat affects people experiencing homelessness to ensure they have access to the protections and resources they need.”
David Gray, Homeless Strategy Officer for the City of Austin, added, “Between 2018 and 2023, there were nearly two dozen known deaths of people experiencing homelessness from heat exposure. That is why we are proud to be a part of an initiative that prioritizes climate action while introducing innovative, community-based solutions to protect those most at risk during the warm months ahead. Our focus is ensuring individuals experiencing homelessness have the support they need to stay safe and healthy.”
Through this initiative, Austin aligns with Miami, Washington D.C., and New York City, showcasing how bold climate leadership can also improve health outcomes and enhance public safety.
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