No Summer Utility Relief for Public Housing Tenants in Tucson & Phoenix

On June 13, the federal government’s top public housing official, accompanied by Tucson’s mayor, announced emergency relief at the Martin Luther King Apartments to help public housing residents afford air conditioning during extreme heat.

This new initiative aims to simplify subsidizing utility bills amid scorching temperatures surpassing 110 degrees in Tucson. However, Arizona’s largest cities are yet to adopt the program swiftly. The Phoenix Housing Department has 2,126 tenants.

In Tucson, despite the unveiling of the aid, tenants will not see benefits this year due to public hearings and bureaucratic procedures deemed unnecessary by federal officials. “I don’t anticipate we’ll be able to implement this change this summer,” said Terry Galligan, deputy director of the Tucson Housing and Community Development Department.

Galligan emphasized the need to review each resident’s utility bills before disbursing federal funds. The process also necessitates a public hearing and approval from the board of commissioners, which involves a 45-day public comment period. The goal is to have everything in place by summer 2025.

This delay contrasts sharply with the urgency expressed by the Biden administration. New guidelines were crafted to ensure local housing agencies could provide immediate relief. “Home should be a place of comfort, and nobody should have to risk heat-related illness residing in their own home,” said Richard Monocchio, principal deputy assistant secretary of Public and Indian Housing at HUD, in a press release announcing the guidelines.

In Pima County, which includes Tucson, 176 heat-related deaths occurred in 2023, predominantly in July. Forecasts predict a sweltering July 2024, with triple-digit temperatures expected until mid-month. Maricopa County, including Phoenix, reported 645 heat-related deaths in 2023. Over 70% of these deaths happened during excessive heat warnings, with many indoor fatalities involving non-functioning air conditioning units.

Emily Haeckel, a policy adviser for climate resilience at HUD, stressed the necessity of access to cooling. Turning on the A/C can mean comfort or survival. However, the associated costs deter many low-income residents from using air conditioning, increasing their risk of heat-related illnesses.

Acting HUD Secretary Adrianne Todman underscored the urgency, stating, “The need for public housing residents to access necessary cooling systems is vital, and we are assertively taking these steps in the fight against extreme heat.”

HUD’s new guidelines permit public housing authorities to raise utility allowances or waive cooling surcharges during extreme heat. These guidelines, effective immediately, aim to mitigate the high risk faced by tenants this summer.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, present at the announcement, has not commented on the program’s delay. Tucson has 3,185 public housing residents, with the local housing authority managing 1,375 units across 10 developments. Officials can preemptively send request forms to streamline the process, but funding caps remain a concern.

Last year, Tucson spent $2.1 million on utilities from $7.7 million in federal funds. The new guidelines classify additional utility assistance as an operating expense, making it eligible for federal reimbursement.

Despite these provisions, public housing authorities retain discretion over implementing the guidance, leading to uncertain upfront costs and reimbursement. Julie Piccolo of the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association noted the expanded relief’s benefits but highlighted lacking additional funds.

HUD officials reassured that higher utility expenses increase future federal funding eligibility. “We are very, very proud of and very excited and hopeful that as many PHAs as possible will take advantage of the flexibility that we’ve provided,” said Todd Thomas, director of HUD’s Office of Public Housing Programs.

July 2023 was the hottest month ever in Phoenix, with 31 consecutive days of 110 degrees or more. Tucson resident Rosemary Bolza, not living in public housing, recounted a neighbor collapsing from the heat, underlining the severe conditions.

Private landlords in Arizona must keep cooling equipment operational but are not required to install it if absent. Different public housing authorities set varying standards, with some requiring functional cooling systems.

Amanda Kaminskas, a Phoenix resident relying on Social Security disability checks, has an air conditioning unit but can’t afford to cool her home adequately. “I sweat, and it wakes me up frequently through the night because of how hot it is,” she said, highlighting the critical need for affordable cooling solutions.