By Posey Graber
The summer of 2026 has only just begun and it is already predicted to be one of the hottest in global history (Breslin, 2026). People all over the world are experiencing record breaking heat waves that have made typical day-to-day activities unbearable. Nearly 90% of Americans are able to cool off with air conditioning in their households to escape the summertime heat, but this is not the case for those experiencing homelessness (Beall & McNary 2022). Unsheltered people are at much higher risks of severe medical emergencies when there is extreme weather compared to people who are able to have reliable, cool shelter. These conditions can be deadly especially when it is combined with a lack of clean water which unsheltered people might not have readily available throughout times of high temperatures.
People experiencing homelessness are at significant risks of health complications, or even death, not only because they do not have air conditioning, but also because of a wide variety of other factors. People without reliable shelter tend to be concentrated in urban areas which experience the urban heat island effect during summertime. This means that the air in cities can feel 2° to 7° hotter than more rural or vegetative areas because they are more densely covered in dark, heat absorbing surfaces. While 7° might not sound like a lot, these heat absorbing surfaces like sidewalks and benches–where unsheltered people might be spending majority of their time–can be up to 50° to 90° hotter than the air (EPA, 2017). People who live without shelter in cities do not have many options to escape these extreme temperatures, so their bodies might not be able to cool off for long periods of time which leads to health complications.
Another factor that increases vulnerability of heat related risks is that people experiencing homelessness more commonly have underlying health issues that are not properly treated. This is usually due to the fact that they do not have access to health care to treat issues that have arisen from chronic stress on the immune system and exposure to harsh environments–like poor air quality or extreme weather. Physical conditions like respiratory problems can be exacerbated in above average temperatures and mental health conditions can lead to increased risk of suicide during heatwaves (Leggat et al., 2024). Because unhoused people may not be able to go to a doctor to treat physical or mental health problems, they can worsen over time and compromise the body’s natural way of regulating heat.
These heightened threats that people without shelter face during brutal summertime heat are very real. One way that they can help maintain a cooler body temperature is by seeking out shady and vegetative areas, or better yet, visiting a cooling center like a public library. The most important time to stay out of direct sunlight and heat absorbing surfaces is peak UV and temperature hours, usually between 11:00 and 5:00. During the night is when your body is best able to cool off and come back down to normal temperatures.
The best ways to offer help to those facing intense weather exposure is by handing out cooling supplies like frozen water bottles, sunscreen, umbrellas, and hats. Staying covered is important but it won’t be enough to save someone if they are extremely dehydrated. This is why recognizing heat related illnesses is vital during times like this. Keep an eye out for fainting, altered mental state, dizziness, and nausea. Calling a homeless outreach team, emergency services, or for a welfare check when spotting symptoms like these can mean the difference between life and death.
As summers get hotter and hotter it becomes increasingly important to acknowledge the environmental injustices and disparities that people experiencing homelessness face due to our changing climate. By advocating for and supporting local homeless services you can push for better resources to be provided for those in need which can make all this difference as we get to the hottest time of the year.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10916349
https://heat.gov/who-is-most-at-risk-to-extreme-heat/at-risk-people-experiencing-homelessness
https://weather.com/2026/06/15/news/climate/will-2026-be-the-hottest-year-on-record
https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=52558
https://www.epa.gov/heatislands/what-are-heat-islands
https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/heat-islands/heat-island-impacts_.html