Our solution delivers both long-term planning and immediate adaptation support to help underserved New Yorkers stay safe in extreme heat.
On the planning side, residents receive timely text messages inviting them to check whether they may qualify for cooling and energy-efficiency programs such as EmPower+, Cooling Assistance, and other grants or rebates. A single click opens a simple eligibility form; once results are displayed, an integrated chatbot answers questions about each program, explains the benefits and potential savings, and guides next steps to apply.
On the adaptation side, during a heat emergency anyone can text their address—or share their live location—and instantly receive the three closest cooling spaces (e.g., cooling centers, libraries, or other safe public sites) with directions.
By combining proactive planning with real-time emergency guidance, this NYSERDA-supported initiative equips vulnerable and underserved communities with the knowledge, tools, and immediate options they need to plan ahead, adapt quickly, and stay safe when temperatures rise.
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