A Safe Place in the Summer Heat

This summer, more people experiencing homelessness will have access to relief from dangerously high temperatures. Orange County recently lowered the heat-index threshold for opening cooling centers from 108 degrees to 103 degrees, recognizing extreme heat as both a public health and public safety issue.

That five-degree change will have a significant impact. At the previous threshold, our community averaged about 10 days of emergency heat-response services each year. At 103 degrees, that number could rise to approximately 70 days.

The Christian Service Center will once again open indoor cooling spaces when the heat index reaches 103 degrees, welcoming our unhoused neighbors inside to rest, rehydrate, charge their phones, and escape the heat. We will also work to make the space available as often as possible throughout periods of extreme temperatures.

For people who are unsheltered, the hot, humid conditions of the Florida summer can be extremely dangerous. Particularly for the many people we serve who are elderly or dealing with chronic health conditions, it is important to stay hydrated and find relief from the heat to allow their bodies to recuperate. During these hot summer months, we even see people come to us asking for band-aids because they have burned their feet on the pavement while trying to dry socks soaked by afternoon rain.

A cooling center should provide more than just an air-conditioned room. It can be difficult for unhoused people to find safe spaces with low-barrier entry requirements even with more cooling centers opening. Letting people bring their pets and personal belongings, charge their phones, and get some real rest makes a huge difference for our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

You can help us meet this wave of need by donating some of the essential items to give some relief to our guests. As we prepare for a much longer heat-response season, our greatest current need is insulated water bottles with large-mouth lids. We are also accepting sunscreen, electrolyte packets, hats, cooling towels, flip flops, and other supplies that help protect our guests from extreme temperatures.

Donations may be dropped off at our Downtown Orlando campus Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Friday from 9 a.m. to noon.

One of our guests, Chris, speaks to the media about the challenges of protecting temperature-sensitive medication while experiencing homelessness.