A program that provides free air conditioners to New Yorkers will stop taking applications at 5 p.m. Monday — just as the city is enduring its first extreme heat wave of the summer, with life-threatening temperatures around 100 degrees forecast for days.
Advocates for older adults say that puts them at particular risk. A separate program Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Friday to provide free air conditioners only applies to people who have persistent asthma and are enrolled in the state’s Essential health insurance plan, which is only open to people 19 to 64 years old.
Living without an air conditioner is a particular hazard for homebound older adults, said Allison Nickerson, executive director of LiveOn NY, a non-profit that advocates for and provides assistance programs for seniors…