MESA, AZ — Arizona’s deadly summer heat is claiming lives at an alarming rate, with county health officials reporting 81 confirmed heat-related deaths and 587 more cases under investigation by the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s office.
Nearly half of last year’s heat deaths involved homeless individuals who had nowhere to escape the dangerous temperatures, according to the Maricopa County Health Department.
As funding for the county’s Heat Relief Network expires this year, facilities like City Hope’s respite center are proving to be literal lifesavers for Arizona’s most vulnerable residents.
City Hope, a church-based facility, exemplifies the critical role these centers play in protecting lives during Phoenix’s brutal summer months. Executive Director Mike Jube oversees a 6,000-square-foot chapel equipped with 54 cots, security, and air conditioning that served more than 5,000 guests from late May through August.
For visitors like 43-year-old Joseph Montegna, who became homeless after moving to Arizona last year, the center provides essential relief.
“Without this, I’m on the street right now for a couple of days. I don’t know what I’d be doing,” Montegna said. “This is a place I can store my stuff and know that nobody is going to steal from me.”
The Heat Relief Network has grown from a small volunteer effort in 2005 to over 200 locations countywide, including hydration stations, cooling centers, and respite facilities like City Hope.
Maricopa County allocated three years of enhanced funding in 2024, but that support expires in 2026, leaving the future of expanded services uncertain. As temperatures continue to soar and homelessness remains a persistent challenge, advocates worry about the impact of losing funding for centers that provide water, air conditioning, and safe shelter during Arizona’s deadliest season.
