Title
City of Phoenix 2026 Heat Response Plan - Citywide
...Description
This report presents to City Council a review of the 2025 heat season and proposed updates to the City of Phoenix Heat Response Plan for 2026. The Heat Response Plan outlines the programs and services designed to protect residents and visitors from heat-related illness, death, and other severe health consequences resulting from both indoor and outdoor heat exposure. Staff are seeking approval of the 2026 Heat Response Plan and requesting authorization to proceed with six related items:
1. Authorization to lease real property located at 20 W. Jackson Street from Sunrise Equities, LLC.
2. Authorization to enter into contract with UMOM New Day Centers for Family Heat Respite Operator and Supportive Services.
3. Authorization to enter into contract with Community Bridges, Inc. and Justa Center for Heat Related Respite Operator and Supportive Services.
4. Authorization to enter into contract with AllThrive365 to serve as the distribution partner for the Community Heat Relief Supply Program.
5. Authorization to enter into contract with Wist Office Products Company to provide Heat Relief Supplies.
6. Authorization to enter into contract with Ninja Tropic to provide Heat Relief Online Training Curriculum Services.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
...Report
Summary
Extreme Heat and Public Health
Each year, the City of Phoenix implements a comprehensive Heat Response Plan to address the significant public health impacts of extreme heat. Extreme heat impacts the health and quality of life of many community members. In 2025, the Phoenix Fire Department responded to more than 1,700 calls for service for heat-related emergencies in Phoenix, and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health reported 425 heat-related fatalities countywide. The City of Phoenix's Heat Response Plan is revised annually to ensure that Phoenix's approach is adapted to meet evolving community needs in the pursuit of improvements in heat-related public health indicators.
Review of 2025 Heat Season and City Programs
The 2025 heat season was among the most severe in Phoenix's history, with an average daily temperature of 92.4°F (fourth highest all-time), 37 days at or above 110°F, and 31 Extreme Heat Warning days. Despite these extreme conditions, heat-related deaths as reported by the Maricopa County Department of Public Health decreased by more than 30 percent with approximately 200 fewer fatalities reported than the prior year. Heat-related deaths have now declined for two consecutive years in Maricopa County.
The City of Phoenix continued to make significant investments in programs and services intended to prevent heat-related illnesses and deaths last year. The Heat Response Plan includes a wide range of actions that address strategic priorities including providing publicly available cool space and water, supporting cool and safe home environments, and protecting workers. Among the major investments supporting heat response efforts in 2025 was the continued operation of a 24/7 heat respite and navigation center at 20 W. Jackson Street. Additionally, the City offered extended operating hours until 10 p.m. daily at Harmon, Yucca, and Cholla Libraries, three public cooling centers located in areas with high heat-related emergency calls. The extended hour and overnight heat relief locations were supported by dedicated staff with expertise in navigation services, mental and behavioral health, as well as dedicated security services. On-site health and medical support was provided by volunteers with the Arizona State University Nursing Program and Terros Health. Operations at these sites were coordinated by a cross-departmental Unified Command Team with leadership from the Phoenix Fire Department, Library Department, Office of Emergency Management, Office of Heat Response and Mitigation, Office of Homeless Solutions, and Office of Public Health.
The four extended-hour and overnight heat relief locations experienced significant daily use in the 2025 heat season, with more than 44,500 visits recorded from an estimated 5,000 unique individuals. On-site staff supported nearly 2,300 requests for additional assistance, which resulted in widespread community benefits including more than 700 placements into housing, shelter, or related services. An emergent trend in 2025 was a high volume of requests for assistance from families with minor children at the extended hour and overnight heat relief locations.
Heat Response Plan Updates for 2026
The 2026 City of Phoenix Heat Response Plan (Attachment A) builds on lessons learned from 2025, with targeted and data-driven adjustments to further protect residents throughout the heat season. Key insights shaping the 2026 plan include maintaining a strong focus on high-need areas such as downtown Phoenix and the I-17 corridor, improving heat relief services for families experiencing homelessness, and continuing to strengthen the promotion and accessibility of City programs to disproportionately impacted neighborhoods and populations.
Four key updates to the Heat Response Plan are proposed for 2026:
Modifications to the locations and service model for extended hour and overnight heat relief sites, including offering extended hour heat relief services in partnership with the Justa Center in downtown Phoenix and offering dedicated heat relief services for families in partnership with UMOM.
Developing a new training program for City of Phoenix employees who support heat relief network locations, with the goal of increasing the capacity of public-facing employees to connect residents to heat-related services and resources.
Restructuring and formalizing the City's heat relief supply assistance program for community partners who participate in the regional Heat Relief Network.
Expanding community outreach efforts for mobile and manufactured home communities and senior residents in partnership with the Red Cross and Arizona Mobile and Manufactured Homeowners Organization.
Staff will continue to improve coordination and reporting strategies that increase cross-departmental and public situational awareness of all heat response plan actions status.
Budget Impact
In 2025, the total cost for extended hour and overnight heat relief sites and services was $4.3 million funded by the City of Phoenix (American Rescue Plan Act ARPA and Opioid Settlement funds) and Maricopa County (ARPA funds). The approximate project need for the 24/7 Heat Respite and extended hour cooling center sites in 2026 is $5.25 million with proposed funding sources including Maricopa County ARPA, Opioid Settlement, Community Development Block Grant CARES Act, and the General Fund.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
On October 12, 2021, City Council approved the Phoenix Climate Action Plan.
On March 2, 2022, City Council adopted the 2021 Maricopa County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
On March 25, 2025, City Council reviewed the 2025 Heat Response Plan.
On March 25, 2025, City Council approved amendments to an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Maricopa County (Ordinance S-50701).
On December 9, 2025, City Council approved the Phoenix Energy Access Plan.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Deputy City Manager Gina Montes, the Phoenix Fire and Library Departments, the Offices of Emergency Management, Heat Response and Mitigation, Homeless Solutions and Public Health.