Phoenix Cooling Centers Aid Families Amid 117°F Heat
Phoenix, Arizona, has been grappling with extreme summer temperatures, reaching as high as 117°F (47°C). Cooling centers and emergency shelters have been critical in providing relief to families experiencing homelessness. UMOM, a nonprofit organization, has allocated 23 shelter units and a dozen tents as part of the city’s heat relief efforts, assisting nearly 300 households this summer. However, the program is winding down, leaving many families in need of alternative solutions. Advocates like Austin Davis, founder of AZ Hugs, have stepped in to fill gaps in the system, offering food distributions and raising funds for temporary housing. Despite these efforts, the demand for shelter far exceeds available resources, highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes to address family homelessness in Maricopa County.
