'Cool 4 the Summer' Initiative Offers Free A/C Units to Harris County Precinct 4 Residents at Risk from Extreme Heat
With temperatures across Southeast Texas expected to soar well above average this summer, Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones is taking action to protect residents most vulnerable to the intensifying heat. In partnership with Precinct4Forward, a nonprofit supporting local solutions, Commissioner Briones is launching the Cool 4 the Summer Initiative—a program distributing 150 free portable air conditioning units to seniors, veterans, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities.
Applications open at noon on May 29, and will be accepted until June 13, 2025, or while supplies last. Eligible residents can apply online at cp4.harriscountytx.gov/Cool4TheSummer or in person at any Precinct 4 Community Center. For assistance, applicants may contact Precinct 4 Constituent Services at 832-927-4444 or via email at service@hcp4.net.
Eligibility and Distribution Details
The program—operating on a first-come, first-served basis—requires that applicants:
- Live within Harris County Precinct 4
- Belong to at least one qualifying group: seniors (60+), veterans, low-income households, or individuals with disabilities
- Have not received a free air conditioner from any program in the past two years
- Submit only one application per household
Those approved will be notified of a local pickup location, where they will be required to sign an Acceptance/Receipt Form and a Recipient Disclaimer and Waiver Form. Participants will also receive an A/C Unit Use & Care flyer to help them safely operate the equipment. In limited cases, Harris County’s Road and Bridge Department may deliver or install units for applicants unable to transport or install them themselves.
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Urgent Need: Summer 2025 Heat Outlook
According to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center, the Greater Houston region, including Katy, Cypress, and Galveston, faces a 50–60% chance of above-normal temperatures throughout June, July, and August 2025. This prediction builds on troubling data released in Harris County Public Health’s (HCPH) 2024 report on heat-related illnesses.
The HCPH report documented a 329% surge in heat-related illnesses from 2019 to 2023. It also found that 61% of cases occurred when the heat index topped 103°F — a level deemed dangerous by the National Weather Service. Vulnerable populations, particularly outdoor workers, older adults, and low-income families, bore the brunt of these impacts. Alarmingly, Hispanic and Latino residents were disproportionately affected, comprising 33% of heat-related illness cases, followed by Black residents at 29%.
Community Response and Long-Term Strategy
“Extreme heat is more than an environmental inconvenience—it’s a public health crisis,” said Dr. Ericka Brown, Local Health Authority for HCPH, in the December 2024 report. “Hopefully, this report will be a critical tool for all of us to take meaningful steps toward protecting our community and reducing health disparities.”
The Cool 4 the Summer Initiative embodies that call to action. It is the latest collaboration between Precinct 4 and Precinct4Forward, a nonprofit dedicated to enhancing public programs through community partnerships. By combining resources, they aim to reduce heat-related hospitalizations and fatalities while improving quality of life for residents who are most at risk.
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Get Involved and Stay Safe
Local officials continue to urge all residents to:
- Stay hydrated
- Limit outdoor activity during peak heat hours
- Wear loose, lightweight clothing
- Check on elderly or disabled neighbors
- Use air-conditioned spaces whenever possible
The Cool 4 the Summer Initiative is a tangible step toward ensuring that residents across Harris County Precinct 4—regardless of age, ability, or income—can face the sweltering Texas summer with greater safety and dignity. For those without access to adequate cooling at home, designated Precinct 4 cooling centers will open during extreme weather events. Updates and additional resources can be found on the official Harris County Precinct 4 and HCPH websites.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
