Credit: Joe Shlabotnik on Flickr
All newly constructed homeless shelters in New York City must now include air conditioning under a new city policy. On Tuesday, Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced an addendum to the agency’s request for proposals for traditional shelter sites, requiring that new facilities include air conditioning throughout, including in sleeping areas, to protect residents from the summer heat. Currently, only four in 10 city shelters have air conditioning in sleeping rooms, according to Gothamist.
Before the amendment, air conditioning was not a requirement for new shelter sites, though proposals that included cooling capabilities were given greater consideration. By mandating air conditioning in new facilities, the agency aims to improve the shelter experience and better serve vulnerable populations, including older adults, young children, individuals with chronic health conditions, and people with disabilities…