Phoenix Mayor Seeks More Federal Heat Aid as Pandemic-Era Funding Nears Its End

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego is asking the federal government to expand its role in extreme-heat response as pandemic-era funding that has supported local relief programs approaches its expiration date.

Gallego made the appeal during a climate-focused press event on July 20. KJZZ reported that American Rescue Plan Act funding supporting Phoenix heat and related relief programs is scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.

Her request is an advocacy position, not an approved federal funding package. The mayor is seeking broader federal support for household energy assistance, transportation, infrastructure, affordable housing and disaster-relief programs that could help cities manage longer and more dangerous heat seasons.

What Phoenix is funding now

Phoenix has adopted a 2026-27 budget that includes $8.9 million for the city’s Office of Heat Response and Mitigation. The budget also provides $18.4 million to replace expiring federal COVID-era funding for homelessness services and efforts to prevent housing insecurity.

Those allocations show the city is using local money to maintain services as federal support winds down. The June 17 formal meeting results from the Phoenix City Council confirm adoption of the final 2026-27 operating, capital and reappropriated-funds budgets.

The $18.4 million is specifically tied to homelessness-related services and housing-insecurity prevention. It should not be treated as a replacement for all heat-response funding.

What residents can access this summer

Phoenix’s 2026 heat-response plan includes a 24/7 respite center at 20 W. Jackson Street, extended-hours cooling locations and a partnership with UMOM to support families seeking shelter. The plan also includes $450,000 in FEMA grant-supported employee training.

The city says its regional heat-relief network includes more than 60 sites, with locations scheduled to operate through September 30. Residents who need transportation to a cooling or heat-relief site can call 2-1-1 daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

These services matter most to people facing direct heat exposure or limited options, including unhoused residents, seniors, outdoor workers and families without reliable cooling. Renters and homeowners also face higher electricity bills during prolonged heat, making energy assistance part of the broader policy debate.

What remains uncertain

Maricopa County has experienced two consecutive years of declining heat-related deaths alongside expanded heat-relief services, according to city officials and KJZZ. The trend is important, but it cannot be attributed solely to Phoenix programs. Weather patterns, public behavior, medical response and other factors may also affect the totals.

The larger question is whether Phoenix taxpayers can sustain expanded heat services as federal pandemic aid ends. Gallego’s appeal could lead to future state or federal policy changes, but no new federal assistance has been approved based on the July 20 request.

For now, Phoenix has local funding in place for the next fiscal year and a network of heat-relief services operating through the summer. The next policy test will be whether state or federal officials respond before the current funding structure begins to narrow after 2026.

Sources

• KJZZ: Phoenix mayor calls for more federal funding for extreme heat
• City of Phoenix: Phoenix Adopts Budget Focused on Affordability