Phoenix’s expanding heat relief network received federal attention this week as Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego toured one of the city’s primary cooling facilities, highlighting the growing focus on protecting vulnerable residents during the state’s hottest months.
Gallego visited the city’s 24-hour heat respite center at 20 W. Jackson St., where he met with staff and reviewed the services available to people seeking relief from extreme temperatures. The facility operates around the clock, providing air-conditioned space, drinking water, resource navigation, and connections to emergency shelter and other support services.
The visit comes as Phoenix continues to expand its seasonal heat response. In addition to the 24/7 respite center, the city operates extended-hours cooling centers at the Justa Center and Cholla Library, while more than 60 cooling centers and hydration stations are available through the regional heat relief network. The sites are scheduled to remain open through Sept. 30.
As Arizona enters the peak of its summer heat season, local governments have increasingly invested in cooling infrastructure as part of broader public health efforts to reduce heat-related illness and deaths. Phoenix also offers transportation assistance to heat relief locations through the statewide 2-1-1 service, making cooling resources more accessible to residents without reliable transportation.