Record-breaking temperatures in Sacramento this past summer prompted the City to activate its cooling centers 35 times, providing much-needed weather respite for residents.
Operating out of the City’s Outreach and Engagement Center and the Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center, these cooling centers offered safe, air-conditioned environments for those seeking relief during extended periods of extreme heat.
Between June and October, the OEC (3615 Auburn Blvd.) provided 984 utilizations, averaging 28 people per day. The Sam & Bonnie Pannell Community Center (2450 Meadowview Road) saw 159 utilizations, averaging nine people per day.
July, the hottest month of the summer, accounted for 20 days of activation. During this time, the OEC averaged 37 utilizations, while the Pannell Center averaged 10 utilizations.
“The swift activation of cooling centers reflects the City’s commitment to the community, offering crucial support to all residents, especially people experiencing homelessness, by providing an optional place for safety and comfort,” said Brian Pedro, director of the Department of Community Response.
During days when temperatures did not reach the City’s respite-activation thresholds, community centers and public libraries offered a safe place for residents to escape the heat as part of their normal day-to-day operations.
Sacramento Regional Transit worked closely with the City during the summer season, providing free transportation to and from respite centers.
The City of Sacramento will continue to monitor the National Weather Service and is prepared to activate warming centers to support community health and safety when needed.
The City’s Department of Community Response is responsible for the opening of respite centers under weather thresholds set by the City Council. For more information on the City’s weather-respite activation criteria, click here.
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