On April 23, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced its first actions to address extreme heat in affordable housing properties.

According to HUD, the world recorded the warmest year on record in 2023. Across the United States, heat records were broken, including Phoenix, Arizona experiencing 31 consecutive days above 110°F, and Chicago, Illinois reaching a heat index of 120°F. Many affordable senior housing communities lack the resources they need to address extreme heat impacts on older adult residents.

Guidance and resources

Assistance may be available to support financing for initiatives aimed at tackling extreme heat and enhancing climate resilience. Additionally, HUD released a “Quick Guide for Extreme Heat” and inaugurated a centralized repository of technical assistance materials accessible at HUD.gov/ExtremeHeat.