In the middle of the summer heat, as temperatures continue to skyrocket and heat waves affect the country, how would you feel without access to air conditioning? For thirteen percent of Massachusetts residents, this is their reality.
The United States experienced heat waves in June, which continued into the beginning of July. The New England area was expected to reach temperatures above ninety degrees Fahrenheit from July third through July ninth, according to a Washington Post reporter, Ben Null. The New England area is particularly unprepared for temperatures this high, as the climate is much cooler for most of the year. In 2020, eighty-seven percent of Massachusetts residents had access to central air conditioning or an individual portable air conditioning unit. Most households are not equipped with central air conditioning, and there is currently no law requiring renters and homeowners to have an air conditioning unit, so the financial burden of getting a portable air conditioning unit falls on the individual resident. If a residence does not have central air conditioning, residents can obtain a separate unit, a portable device installed without assistance.
For the thirteen percent of Massachusetts residents without access to either type of residential air conditioning in 2020, the only option to stay cool during these recent heat waves is to purchase an individual air conditioning unit. These units can cost anywhere between $100 to $800, and cheaper alternatives, such as fans, are inadequate. This disproportionately affects lower-income residents, as they don't have access to excess disposable income and are the most disadvantaged when the heat waves hit the Northeast.
Government officials in New York City conducted the 2025 Heat Mortality Report and found that exposure to heat leads to an average of five hundred premature deaths each summer. The report highlights that a lack of access to residential air conditioning is the most critical risk factor for heat mortality. NYC residents can apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program, which provides those near the poverty line with the Cooling Assistance Benefit, which allows the state to subsidize low-income households to buy individual air conditioning units. This program is a great effort to promote cooling equality during the increasingly hot summers caused by climate change.
Massachusetts has its own Home Energy Assistance Program, but its focus is primarily on providing heat and insulation services. However, Bill S.1013 contains provisions to fund a cooling assistance program similar to New York's. Bill S. 1013 was referred to the Committee on Housing on February 27th, 2025. With summer temperatures increasing steadily and Massachusetts already experiencing two heat waves this summer, this bill is significant for the public health of the Commonwealth's residents.
When considering rising temperatures, it is also essential to recognize the impact on the homeless population, who will bear the brunt of extreme weather patterns. Due to increased heat exposure, they are highly vulnerable to heat-related health issues. While Boston has a large percentage of unhoused people, the state has a relatively low percentage of unsheltered homeless people. Keeping this percentage low has always been a priority in the winter months, but these recent heat waves should also reinforce Boston city officials' commitment to this goal in the summer months.
Currently, Massachusetts residents can apply for income-based discounts on energy-efficient room air conditioners through MASS SAVE. However, this program is not as comprehensive as the potential program that could be established through the implementation of Bill S.1013. Massachusetts residents who support a statewide cooling assistance program should contact their representatives and encourage them to publicly support Bill S.1013.