To Combat Rising Heat Deaths, Phoenix Creates Heat Response and Mitigation Office

As more extreme temperatures lead to an alarming rise in heat-related deaths across the country, Phoenix is taking action with the nation's first public heat response office.

1 minute read

December 26, 2021, 9:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Downtown Phoenix

Michael Ruiz / Flickr

As one of the nation's fastest-warming cities, Phoenix has seen a sharp rise in heat-related deaths as extreme temperatures become more commonplace. To address this growing public health crisis, the city has created the first publicly funded Office of Heat Response and Mitigation to tackle the problem of extreme heat and prevent heat deaths, which reached almost 500 in 2020. Jessica Kutz spoke with David Hondula, the director of the new office, to get a sense of how the city plans to develop a more comprehensive heat mitigation policy.

Hondula says the department will focus on coordinating a variety of short- and long-term heat mitigation strategies with other city departments and prioritizing cooling methods that meet local needs, such as increasing the city's tree canopy, installing cool pavement, and opening cooling centers for residents with no access to safe spaces in the extreme heat. 

Hondula acknowledged the unequal heat burden faced by low-income communities, saying that his office will "steer the city’s investments in mitigation and response to the communities where there is the greatest need."

Earlier this year, Phoenix pledged to commit to 'tree equity' by 2030 by planting more trees in underserved neighborhoods and closing the green gap between high-income and low-income communities, where lack of shade exacerbates the effects of extreme heat.

Thursday, December 16, 2021 in High Country News

Single-family homes in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

Multistory apartment building under construction.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing

Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

June 10, 2024 - Nooga Today

Aerial view of intersection in New York City with yellow cabs and zebra crosswalks.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths

Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

June 13, 2024 - Todd Litman

Brick high-rise apartment buildings in New York City

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply

New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

June 18 - University of Kansas

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18 - Lewisville Leader

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.