New York City intensified efforts last week to protect its most vulnerable residents amid a severe heatwave, as temperatures soared and the city was placed under an extreme heat warning. Central Park recorded its highest temperature in 14 years, reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Thursday. City officials emphasized the health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures, particularly for individuals experiencing homelessness, who often lack access to cooling resources.
About 600 outreach workers from various agencies canvassed the streets to check on those most at risk, distributing water, sunscreen, and information about cooling centers. Among them was Aly Coleman, director of street outreach at the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS), an organization contracted by the city to oversee outreach for the street-homeless population in upper Manhattan. CUCS's territory includes areas north of 96th Street on the East Side and above 110th Street on the West Side of Central Park. Separate organizations handle outreach in other parts of the city and the subway system.
While CUCS typically focuses on establishing long-term relationships with homeless individuals with the goal of securing stable housing, the priority during the heatwave shifted to immediate health and safety. Coleman reported multiple emergency medical calls in just a few hours, highlighting the dangerous conditions. “Any extreme weather conditions can be very dangerous” for people without shelter, she said, noting that many homeless individuals also face underlying health issues, such as heart disease and substance use disorders, which increase their vulnerability.
During outreach in East Harlem, Coleman encountered Edwin Rivera, 49, who recently became homeless after experiencing an assault in a shelter where he had been living. Rivera, who has experienced intermittent homelessness since 2001, was sitting in direct sunlight near a street grate. Coleman provided him with water, sunscreen, and a map of city cooling centers, while discussing options to help him find housing. Similarly, she distributed supplies to others who accepted assistance and engaged with them about their well-being.
The city expanded pool hours and opened cooling centers to provide relief during the heatwave. Residents are encouraged to call 311 to report individuals in need of help; detailed information about a person’s appearance or condition is valuable for outreach teams. However, outreach workers stress the importance of calling 911 when immediate life-threatening situations arise, such as when someone appears unconscious or unresponsive. During this Code Red alert, 311 calls concerning homeless welfare were routed directly to 911 to ensure a faster response—a measure that outreach workers said was unprecedented.
Mayor Eric Adams underscored the seriousness of heat-related illnesses, noting that New York City typically loses about 500 people annually due to heat. Authorities urged residents to take precautions and make use of city resources to stay safe during extreme weather events. A citywide map of cooling centers and updated health advisories are available on official platforms for public access.