Hot and Cold NYC

Meet Anna, a Bronx resident we interviewed at E2H2 who opens up about her experiences with affording bills as she faces energy insecurity.

The issues reported in our policy report affect real New Yorkers. We believe bringing to light the real-life stories and experiences of energy insecurity, such as Anna’s, we can highlight the need for proper housing and energy reform as energy insecurity continues to create financial barriers for New Yorkers.

Our team at E2H2, with and , have developed a report detailing policy options to address energy insecurity in New York City.

The report details robust policy proposals to address the energy, housing, and health needs of all New Yorkers. We need better financial policies and programs to promote energy affordability, such as expanding energy and debt assistance programs. Additionally, the city should invest in better, more affordable housing and energy infrastructure; ensure universal access to heating and cooling and protections against disruptions; and track energy insecurity metrics across the city that are conceptually relevant for policymakers. ​

🔗 To read the full report, go to https://e2h2hernandez.com/policy-public-engagement/

Poor maintenance in NYCHA buildings contributes to worsened health outcomes for tenants, especially children. Harmful exposures from lead paint, chronic mold, leaking pipes, and poor ventilation can greatly impact a child’s physical, social, and academic development. 🧑‍🧒‍🧒😷

While more must be done to ensure everyone has access to regular inspections and a healthy home, a useful resource is the NYC Healthy Homes Program which provides home inspections, tenant support, and pathways for demanding faster repairs. Go to https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/healthy-home.page to learn more. 🔨🏠

I’m sure we have all seen and heard of , NYC’s New Mayor-Elect. He’s been making headlines for months over a variety of his plans and policies as mayor, but do you know his plan to address energy inequality?

Many of his proposed housing and climate policies will address this burden impacting millions of working class New Yorkers. It is up to us to support these policies and hold people like Zohran accountable to ensure these proposals become realized for the millions of New Yorkers facing energy insecurity.

As temperatures continue to drop and we head into winter, we must keep in mind the impact this has on unhoused communities here in NYC. Those who rely on the shelter system face high levels of energy insecurity, or the inability to reliably access or afford heating, cooling, or electricity, and rarely ever have all their basic needs met at once. Nearly 28% of New Yorkers experience 3 or more indicators of energy insecurity. This is exacerbated for those living in shelters through unsafe living conditions, disrupted sleep schedules, greater illness risk, and stress. 🏠❄️

We must continue to spread awareness and support policies and programs that guarantee safe, warm, well lit homes for everyone, including those who rely on the shelter system or live in the streets. 🗣️🔈

Access to energy should not be a luxury, it’s a human right. ⚡️♥️

Check out the following NYC-based resources that address these issues:
Coalition for the Homeless: https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/
Breaking Ground: https://www.breakingground.org/

PART 2 | Ericka’s Story: Reflecting on Ericka’s experiences, when we talk about climate change, we must remember it’s not JUST an environmental crisis, it’s a public health emergency.🚨

Addressing rising temperatures must go hand in hand with addressing and reducing health inequities. This should mean investing in better cooling infrastructure, expanding healthcare access, and protecting affordable housing.🌎🏠

Climate justice and health justice are interconnected forces. It’s time we hold our politicians and local leaders accountable and demand they treat climate and health disparities as the interconnected crises they are. 📣🗣️

Columbia Public Health Hot and Cold NYC

Edit: Please note that the participant’s name has been changed.

PART 1 | Ericka’s Story: Continuing on our interview highlight series for Climate Week, we share a portion of an interview with Ericka, a mother and community leader concerned for the health of her daughter, who has epilepsy and autism, amidst rising temperatures.🌡️

After experiencing one of the hottest NYC summers in recent history, this has become a growing concern for many, but especially for communities of color, low-income communities, elderly people, and people with chronic health conditions. 🏥

Global warming has posed greater health risks for many, but the solutions to prevent health flare-ups are too costly and inaccessible for too many.
Stay tuned for part 2.

Columbia Public Health Hot and Cold NYC

Edit: Please note that the participant’s name has been changed.

September 21st-28th is Climate Week NYC, an annual charity initiative striving to promote climate action. As temperatures continue to rise globally, economic barriers to navigating these burdens have become more apparent than ever, particularly for working class and immigrant New Yorkers. 🌡️☀️

We spoke to New Yorkers in hopes to highlight their critical yet overlooked experiences navigating rising temperatures and energy insecurity. Establishing more robust and equitable utility services and safety nets, such as energy bill assistance programs, could help reduce this burden for many. 🛠️💵

Tackling the complexities of the climate crisis should start with addressing the problems we face right at home. 🗣️⚡️

Pregnant women and new mothers are vulnerable to energy insecurity, especially when high utility bills, broken heating/cooling systems, or unsafe housing conditions make it hard to keep their families safe and comfortable.

Energy insecurity can worsen pregnancy risks, from dehydration in the summer to respiratory issues in the winter. For many, the stress of choosing between rent, food, and utilities takes a heavy toll on both physical and mental health.

💡 How to Support:
- Keep homes safe with working heating/cooling systems
- Share fans, heaters, or air purifiers with families in need
- Advocate for affordable housing and utility protections
- Check in on pregnant women and families with infants, especially during extreme weather

📌 Resources for Assistance:
- 211 Helpline – Connect to local energy assistance, housing, and family support services (211.org)
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – Utility bill relief and emergency energy support (benefits.gov/LIHEAP)
- WIC Program – Nutrition and wellness support for women, infants, and children (fns.usda.gov/wic)
- Local Health Departments – Help with maternal-child health resources and home environment concerns
- Community Action Agencies – Often provide direct utility assistance and weatherization programs

Energy is a necessity, not a luxury. 🔌 Let’s make sure no expecting mother has to choose between comfort and survival.



#311

Women, especially those who are pregnant, and children are more vulnerable to extreme summer heat due to higher risks of dehydration, heat stress, and underlying health conditions. 🌡️ Prolonged exposure can quickly lead to heat exhaustion, with warning signs like dizziness, nausea, heavy sweating, fatigue, headache, and muscle cramps.

💧 How to Support:
- Keep cool with shaded or air-conditioned spaces
- Drink water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty
- Dress in lightweight, breathable clothing
- Check in on pregnant women, children, and other high-risk loved ones

📌 Resources for Assistance:
- 311 – Call for city services like cooling center locations and heat safety updates (in many U.S. cities)
- 211 Helpline – Find local cooling centers and support services (211.org)
- Local Health Departments – Offer heat safety info, WIC program support, and maternal-child health resources
- Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program – Nutrition, hydration, and wellness assistance (fns.usda.gov/wic)
- American Red Cross Cooling Centers – Air-conditioned spaces during extreme heat (redcross.org)

Know the signs. Act fast. Save lives.



#311