As scorching temperatures continue to grip most of southern Ontario, the City of Toronto says it will provide 500 portable air conditioners to low-income seniors.
The free appliances are part of a $200,000 pilot program aimed at helping elderly people who are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
Officials say at least 1,400 seniors applied to the program, but the limited number of units are distributed through a lottery process.
Helen Burke is one of 500 lucky winners who were selected to received a free air conditioner from the City valued at around $500.
“Oh, it feels wonderful! It’s much better than my fan,” Burke told CityNews. “I’ll get to sleep tonight!”
Toronto does not have data on how many apartments are currently without air conditioning, but the estimate is tens of thousands.
“Everyone needs a safe and comfortable place to call home,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement released on Monday. “This year, we have already seen three historic heat waves which can be dangerous and even deadly.”
“At City Hall, we are stepping up with a new pilot program to provide 500 free air conditioners to low-income seniors, who are the most vulnerable,” she added. “We are working in collaboration with tenant advocates to ensure safe and affordable homes for renters in our city.”
The program also promises in-suite installation of the air conditioner units at no cost to the recipients.
“This is a great pilot program and an example of the supports we must continue developing in response to the increase in extreme hot weather Toronto is expected to experience in the coming years,” City Councillor Paula Fletcher said in a statement.
The City hopes to expand with program with help from corporate donors, but at this stage it’s unclear if it will continue beyond 2025.
The air conditioner assistance program is one of the City’s latest initiatives to protect people from the hot weather. Its Heat Relief Network also provides more than 500 cool spaces across the city, which include libraries, community centres, public pools and air-conditioned civic buildings.
Toronto currently remains under two active weather alerts, including a heat warning that is expected to last until Thursday, as well as an air quality warning stemming from forest fire smoke in northern Ontario and the prairies.
“The poor air quality may persist through the day and possibly into Tuesday for some areas,” Environment Canada says.
Temperatures are expected to reach 31 C on Monday, with humidex values in the upper 40s. The air quality health index rating could get to 5, indicating a moderate risk.
Daytime temperatures could drop slightly by mid-week or Thursday, when cloudier conditions and the potential for rain move in. There is a 60 per cent chance of showers for Toronto on Thursday, with a daytime high of 29 C.
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