PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – As the City of Portland has had difficulties distributing state-funded air conditioning units to low-income households, KOIN 6 News helped connect those in need with the units.
KOIN 6 News learned that non-profit Mercy Connections, which helps west African immigrants and refugees, had some of the state-funded units available and connected them with non-profit Fort Kennedy, which helps low-income veterans.
The organization installed several units to local veterans in low-income housing in Milwaukie, Portland and Oregon City.
Fort Kennedy said it could use dozens more of the AC units for those in need, but they are having a tough time getting them, even though hundreds are still in city warehouses.
Veteran Todd Aune, who received a unit on Friday, said the heat has kept building inside his apartment.
“The temperature in here cools down to about 80 about three in the morning,” Aune said.
KOIN 6 was told only authorized non-profits can receive the units, but some non-profits are sharing them with other groups to try to meet the urgent need.
Meanwhile, the state says it’s out of units but has ordered thousands more.