A local nonprofit is reminding Tulsa County residents without air conditioning that they may be eligibile to receive a free window unit to help cool their homes.
The Tulsa Weather Coalition, an initiative of the Community Service Council, is accepting applications for the program, which was launched in 1980 following a summer of many heat-related deaths.
"Having an air conditioner is a necessity, it's not a privilege," said coalition program director Melinda Belcher. "As you know, the heat in Oklahoma can last from February until December at times. We have people who are medically frail. They have medical conditions, such as asthma or heart conditions, that can worsen during heat."
"And then we have our elderly who may not be able to afford to have their air conditioner fixed because they're on fixed income," Belcher said. "So it's important to keep people's health up, because the heat is one of Oklahoma's most lifethreatening weather events."
Applicants under 65 must meet certain eligibility requirements, including Tulsa County residency, proof of low income or public assistance receipt, proof of a qualifying medical condition, and no access to an air conditioned space during the hottest part of the day. Applicants over 65 need only show they do not have any air conditioning in their Tulsa County home.
Interested Tulsa County residents can call 211 with questions or for information regarding applying. Belcher said applications typically take about one week to process.
