Health department awards state funding to Beat the Heat relief programs

Beat the heat

PIMA COUNTY, AZ (July 23, 2025) – The Pima County Health Department has awarded more than $160,000 to four regional partners to help expand beat the heat relief programs throughout the County. The grant funding from the Arizona Department of Health Services will support infrastructure improvements, essential supply distribution, and outreach efforts specifically to assist unhoused women in Pima County. 

Recipients include: 

Sister Jose Women’s Center — $95,350  

  • Infrastructure and Shelter Improvements: 3 portable evaporative coolers, air conditioning upgrade in the multi-purpose room, medical room upgrades 
  • Essential Supplies: Sunscreen packets, water, electrolyte drinks, handheld fans 
  • Sustainability Measures: Four native 24-gallon shade trees, installation of an 800-square-foot shade structure  

Azara Branch — $12,720.28  

  • Supplies & Outreach Materials: Aluminum water bottles, flip flops, ladies’ briefs and underwear, disposable thermometers, instant cold packs, drawstring bags, cooling towels, deodorant, socks, flex funds for travel and gas, ice packs, sunscreen, electrolyte tablets, burn gel, petroleum jelly, feminine hygiene products 

St. Francis Shelter Community — $18,500  

  • Outreach & Relief Activities: Feminine hygiene products, clothing (shirts and underwear), outreach and shower vouchers, hydration supplies (water and electrolytes), transportation to cooling centers
  • Support Services: Health and testing support, emergency funds for ID replacement and domestic violence/trafficking-related needs
  • Community Engagement: Enrichment programming, outreach materials and printing, technology for tracking and reporting  

The Homing Project — $36,262  

  • Infrastructure & Environmental Improvements: Installation of AC units for the shared kitchen space and two portable evaporative coolers for a dining area  
  • Sustainability Efforts: Grading for rain and gray water management, irrigation water source setup, planting of 10 Chilean mesquite trees, soil amendments for tree planting  

“We are excited to announce that we have grant money available to help groups that support women’s shelters and the unhoused women during the extreme heat season in Tucson, AZ,” said Amanda Anderson, Emergency Mitigation and Preparedness Division Manager. “Through this funding our goal is to improve buildings, provide critical resources, and support outreach efforts to keep people safe from extreme heat.” 

The Sister Jose Women’s Center and St. Francis Shelter Community are registered cooling centers that will serve our community throughout the heat season.

For all heat-related information, including an interactive cooling center map, visit pima.gov/heat.