Pima County Heat Relief Resources: Cooling Centers and Summer Sun Respite
In collaboration with the Pima County Health Department, the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH) has released a list of all summer sun respite and cooling center sites for those experiencing homelessness in Pima County. This flyer is available for download from the TPCH website, but in addition, Pima County has made an entire heat relief webpage including a map of all summer sun respite and cooling center locations for the community to access.
In addition to these resources, Pima County has convened a Joint Heat Action Team (JHAT) to better coordinate services for those navigating extreme heat in our community. Several updates may support providers in better connecting those experiencing homelessness to heat relief resources. For providers interested in learning how to treat Heat Related Illnesses, training is available on the TPCH Online Learning Center. Click the “E-learning” link at the top of this page to access this training and more.
A flyer including all summer sun respite and cooling center sites is available for download at tpch.net. This flyer will be frequently updated, so click below to access the most updated version.
Download the 2024 Summer Sun Cooling Station flyer (English and Spanish):
Two new “COOLtainers,” provided by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the governor’s office, were placed at the Amazon Shelter, 1135 W. Miracle Mile, to provide a restful place for people to get out the sun and heat. The Amazon is a shelter operated by the Housing First Division of the City of Tucson’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
HOURS: Tuesday – Saturday 12-5:30pm, operating until August 31, 2024
AMENITIES: In addition to the pods, HCD’s portable shower will be available at Amazon but that schedule has not yet been set. Inside the “quiet COOLtainer” there will be cots for individuals to nap or rest. Both COOLtainers have television and staff is working on securing internet service for people to access Wi-Fi on their devices. In the second COOLtainer there are board games, dominos, cards, adult coloring books, snacks, and hygiene items.
211 Arizona to offer rides to cooling centers, respite centers, and hydration station sites during Arizona’s hot summer months
Transportation through this program is not appropriate if you are experiencing any symptoms of heat-related illness or other medical emergency. Warning signs and symptoms of heat-related illness are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
If experiencing a medical emergency or any symptoms of heat-related illness, call 911 immediately.
- Cooling Centers: Indoor, air-conditioned locations that offer hydration.
- Respite Centers: Indoor, air-conditioned locations that offer hydration and allow for uninterrupted rest, sitting, or lying down (depending on each facility) during hours of operation.
- Hydration Station Sites: Locations where individuals can go to receive bottled water and other collected donated items. These can be indoors or outdoors.
- Must be in a Lyft Service Area with a Cooling Center, Respite Center, or Hydration Station Site
- Must be 18 years or older (unless accompanied by a parent/guardian)
- Must be able to get into and out of a car, on their own, and without assistance
- Must comply with Lyft’s Health Safety Commitment
- Rides should be used when no other resources are available and to overcome short-term barriers.