Heat Waves Affect On the Homeless and How We Can Help

 As we get later into the year, summer is right around the corner. For many of us this means we are going to have fun in the sun. We are going to enjoy the hot weather and do our best to stay cool in the AC when we have to. For the homeless population, summer means an entirely different thing. It increases the chance of dehydration, sunburns, exhaustion, and has even caused death when heat waves hit Portland. 

Last year, Portland Oregon hit a record at 116 degrees fahrenheit. This extreme weather left many Portlanders to suffer in the heat. None were more affected by this than the homeless population in Portland. “At least 71 people are confirmed or suspected to have died of heat-related causes in Multnomah County”, says Adam Mahoney, a reporter for the Grist that focuses on environmental justice and investigations. Knowing that summers are getting hotter and how much this can affect and even kill the homeless population, we must figure out a solution to the housing crisis they face and also have additional resources to help them during these extreme temperatures. 

“Organizations like Blanchet House have had to stop up to fill the gaps in homeless-specific services.. distributing more than 2,000 meals every single day. During the June heat wave, the organization quickly moved to distribute cold water, reusable bottles, water-rich produce, and heat-protective clothes.” 

The Blanchet House and other organizations rushed into action and should be looked at in a leadership role this next summer if temperatures are as high. To help the homeless we all need to do part of obviously solving the housing crisis, but also donating water, food, and other necessities to survive extreme weather. 

To donate to the Blanchet House or contact them, use their website https://blanchethouse.org/.

Or call them at 503-241-4340. We must help them or face repercussions we faced last year. 

Michael Dougherty