Phoenix’s 2026 Heat Response Plan Extends Cooling Center Access and Adds New Outreach Programs

City updates heat strategy as early-season temperatures rise

Phoenix has approved its 2026 Heat Response Plan, expanding access to air-conditioned relief spaces and adding new outreach and training efforts ahead of the summer heat season. The plan was approved unanimously during a City Council policy session as unusually warm temperatures arrived in late February.

The 2026 plan continues the city’s approach of combining fixed-site cooling, extended-hour facilities and targeted outreach aimed at residents most at risk during extreme heat, including people without reliable indoor cooling and those experiencing homelessness.

Expanded hours at libraries and continued 24/7 downtown respite

A central component of the 2026 plan is expanded access to cooling centers during the hours when many public facilities are typically closed. Under the plan, the 24/7 cooling and respite site near downtown—at Jackson Street and First Avenue—will operate again this year, maintaining round-the-clock indoor heat relief.

The plan also adjusts schedules at specific library-based cooling locations. Cholla Library is set to stay open until 9 p.m. on weekdays and add Sunday hours from noon to 9 p.m. Phoenix has used extended library hours in recent years as a way to increase evening and weekend availability for residents seeking relief from dangerous temperatures.

Additional site added for afternoon and evening relief

The 2026 plan adds a second location to strengthen coverage later in the day: the Justa Center near Jefferson Street and 10th Avenue will serve as a cooling option during afternoon and evening hours. The expansion is designed to increase capacity and reduce gaps in access during peak heat periods, when heat illness risk can remain elevated into the evening.

Outreach to mobile home and senior communities, plus staff training

Beyond facility hours, the 2026 plan includes expanded outreach to mobile home and senior living communities in partnership with the American Red Cross. The city has previously identified these settings as important targets for preparedness messaging and resource navigation, particularly for residents who may face higher indoor heat exposure risks.

The plan also introduces a heat awareness training program for City of Phoenix staff, aimed at improving consistency in recognizing heat risk, communicating safety guidance and directing residents to available services.

Heat mortality remains a defining public health concern

Heat-related deaths in Maricopa County have remained high in recent years. County tallies for 2024 documented 602 confirmed heat-related deaths, lower than the 645 confirmed in 2023 but still among the highest totals on record. Heat surveillance reporting has also shown that substance use is frequently identified as a contributing factor in heat-associated deaths, underscoring the complexity of risks faced by vulnerable residents.

• 24/7 downtown cooling and respite site continues in 2026.
• Cholla Library expands to weekday evenings and Sunday hours.
• Justa Center added for afternoon and evening cooling access.
• Expanded outreach and new heat-awareness training for city staff.

City officials have emphasized that early-season heat can pose added risk because people may not yet be acclimated, increasing the potential for heat illness during outdoor activity or prolonged exposure.

Phoenix typically operates multiple cooling centers, hydration stations and respite locations during the summer season, with additional sites available through regional heat-relief networks across Maricopa County.