Item - 2025.IE21.10

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, and the Executive Director, Social Development, or their designates, to develop and implement a pilot program, ahead of summer 2025, aimed at expanding access to air conditioning for low-income seniors living in multi-unit residential buildings in Toronto, with the pilot program to include the following:

a. program eligibility criteria;

b. collection of personal information for the purpose of determining eligibility;

c. administration of air conditioner benefits; and

d. evaluation framework.

2. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, and the Executive Director, Social Development  to negotiate, enter into, and execute any necessary agreements, including non-competitive agreements or agreements to receive or provide funding, to secure air conditioning units for eligible residents on terms and conditions acceptable to the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, and the Executive Director, Social Development and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor. 

3. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry, and the Executive Director, Social Development, through the Chief Procurement Officer, to proceed with the Non-Competitive Procurement, in accordance with the City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 195, Procurement, and associated policies and procedures, if leveraging existing contracts is not a viable option.

Toronto is increasingly experiencing the effects of climate change, including more frequent, prolonged and extreme heat events. Excessive indoor temperatures are a significant concern for many, including residents in multi-unit residential buildings without air conditioning, with the potential for a significant impact on seniors and individuals with health conditions (e.g. chronic heat and lung conditions, asthma, cancer).

In response, the City is launching a pilot program for summer 2025 to provide portable air conditioners to low-income seniors living in multi-unit residential buildings who have a self-identified medical need made worse by extreme heat. The pilot program prioritizes simplicity, equity, and integration with existing City services, using a one-window intake system and a randomized draw to allocate up to 500 air conditioning units, with outreach support from community partners.

This initiative is a Mayoral priority that received funding in Budget 2025, aligns with broader climate change resilience efforts and complements existing supports, such as the City's Hardship Fund.

This report provides an overview of the proposed pilot design and seeks authorization to formally establish the program, which was not granted through prior budget process approval. Staff are intending to utilize existing City contracts to procure air-conditioners, but also exploring alternate procurement options and authorities to ensure these units can be procured as soon as possible. This request is time-sensitive to enable immediate program implementation, with application intake targeted for late May 2025 to support the distribution of air conditioner units in advance of the summer months.