For certain Tarrant County residents who do not have air conditioners inside their homes, help will soon be on the way.
The Tarrant County Commissioners Court Tuesday approved a $180,000 grant agreement with Meals On Wheels to purchase and install air conditioning units for vulnerable residents.
"This has become a great issue and a great problem as the heat continues to beat us to death," Commissioner Roy Charles Brooks said at Tuesday's Commissioners Court meeting. "There are people dying in their homes because they don't have air conditioners."
To be precise, ten people in Tarrant County have died of hyperthermia inside their homes so far this summer.
The program is aimed at elderly, disabled and low-income residents, as well as grandparents raising grandchildren.
Meals On Wheels expects to help 180 people with this grant.
"Basically, it's $1,000 per person," said Philip Gonzalez with Meals On Wheels of Tarrant County, "which includes the purchase of the unit, installation costs and any other costs that are going to have to be incurred."
The units will provide a benefit all year long, not just in the summertime.
"They're going to serve two purposes as far as heating and air conditioning," said Gonzalez. "So not only will it keep people cool during the summer, but they'll also keep them warm this winter."
Those needing a unit should contact their social worker or their case manager, who will then get in touch with Meals On Wheels to provide the referral.
Those who don't have a case manager or social worker can call the Tarrant County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 855-937-2372 or Tarrant County Department of Human Services at 817-531-5620.
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