The city program Cooling Portland is coming to an end.
After five years of providing free air conditioners to low-income families, applications close June 30. The application form is available on the City of Portland’s website, or you can call 311 for assistance.
Anyone who makes 60% or less of the area median income is eligible to apply for the program, which has been funded since 2022 by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. Applicants most at risk for heat-related illness are prioritized for distribution.
The program defines people at most risk as those with two or more of the following risk factors: they are over the age of 60, they live alone, or they have medical conditions that increase the risk of heat-related illness.
The city still encourages people to apply who do not qualify as high risk. However, they will be placed on a waitlist until priority applicants have received their units.
The city says ending the program was the plan from the start.
“Cooling Portland was always intended as a medium-term, five-year program to address a need for efficient, portable cooling units for income-qualified Portlanders,” Elizabeth Stover, strategic communications manager for PCEF, said in an email.
Moving forward, PCEF is shifting toward primarily assisting homeowners (and some qualified renters) with broader home energy upgrades designed to be more cost-efficient and long-lasting.
Until recently, air conditioning in homes wasn’t really a necessity in Portland. Many here still don’t have it. But this summer is predicted to be sweltering. Already in June, Portland has seen record-high temperatures.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent survey, an estimated 13.2% of Multnomah County residents still don’t have air conditioning in their homes. At the same time, according to Climate Central, average summer temperatures in Portland have increased by 3.8 degrees since 1970. Scientists say the trend of rising temperatures will continue. The city program Cooling Portland is coming to an end.
After five years of providing free air conditioners to low-income families, applications close June 30. The application form is available on the City of Portland’s website, or you can call 311 for assistance.
Anyone who makes 60% or less of the area median income is eligible to apply for the program, which has been funded since 2022 by the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund. Applicants most at risk for heat-related illness are prioritized for distribution.
The program defines people at most risk as those with two or more of the following risk factors: they are over the age of 60, they live alone, or they have medical conditions that increase the risk of heat-related illness.
The city still encourages people to apply who do not qualify as high risk. However, they will be placed on a waitlist until priority applicants have received their units.
The city says ending the program was the plan from the start.
“Cooling Portland was always intended as a medium-term, five-year program to address a need for efficient, portable cooling units for income-qualified Portlanders,” Elizabeth Stover, strategic communications manager for PCEF, said in an email.
Moving forward, PCEF is shifting toward primarily assisting homeowners (and some qualified renters) with broader home energy upgrades designed to be more cost-efficient and long-lasting.
Until recently, air conditioning in homes wasn’t really a necessity in Portland. Many here still don’t have it. But this summer is predicted to be sweltering. Already in June, Portland has seen record-high temperatures.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent survey, an estimated 13.2% of Multnomah County residents still don’t have air conditioning in their homes. At the same time, according to Climate Central, average summer temperatures in Portland have increased by 3.8 degrees since 1970. Scientists say the trend of rising temperatures will continue.
People on the Oregon Health Plan who are unable to apply before the June 30 deadline may qualify for an alternative program that provides a free air conditioner or fan under the health-related social needs benefit. People with OHP who are concerned about effects on their health due to increased temperatures can reach out to their health coverage provider to find out if they qualify.
This article appears in June 24, 2026.