There’s one thing we can’t go without during the Valley’s hot summer months: air conditioning. But many do, including low-income older adults and people with disabilities.
Katie Martin is the administrator of home improvement for the nonprofit All Thrive 365, which supports seniors. She helps eligible Arizonans replace or repair broken air conditioners at no cost.
The Healthy Homes Air Conditioning Program relies on grant funding from local utilities. And Martin says since it’s not federal funding, “We're able to move a little bit faster, a little bit less red tape.”
She says the average cost of an a AC unit is around $11,000.
Martin says they survey recipients before and after receiving a working AC unit, and what they’ve found is obvious: Almost everyone afterwards felt more comfortable being at home. But there are health benefits, too, including a drop in medical encounters.
“One less visit to the hospital, the doctor, the emergency room, I call that a win," Martins aid.
Martin says they recently helped a 91-year-old.
“And she faxed us an application. And yes, we sell the fax machine, and it's for reasons like this. She faxed us the application. She hadn't had a working air conditioner for two years. And we were able to replace her air conditioner in two days," she said.
→ Read a report on the impact of the Healthy Homes Pilot Program
