Stay Cool Act: Grants for Heat Wave Preparedness, Cooling Centers, and Public Housing Upgrades
This Act aims to improve public safety and preparedness during extreme heat events through extensive grant programs and regulatory changes. It funds the establishment and upgrade of community cooling centers, modernizes air conditioning in public housing, and creates a national heat severity ranking system. The legislation focuses on supporting vulnerable populations, including seniors and residents of overburdened communities, while investing in urban green spaces to mitigate city temperatures.
Key points
New Warning System: Establishment of a national ranking system to communicate the severity and risk of extreme heat based on human health outcomes.
Cooling Centers and Senior Checks: Grants for creating community resilience centers, upgrading HVAC systems in cooling centers, and funding programs to check on seniors during heat emergencies.
Housing Safety: Grants for installing cooling systems in public housing and a mandate for HUD to establish and enforce safe residential temperature standards in all federally assisted dwellings.
Tax Credits and Benefits: Introduction of a payroll tax credit for non-profit cooling centers and allowing box fan expenses to be reimbursed through Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).
Urban Cooling: Funding for the construction of public water features (splash parks, pools) and grant programs for planting trees and developing urban green spaces in high-risk areas.
Expired
Citizen Poll