Q&A
Analysis of cooling access data in New York City households
1:40:10
·
87 sec
Council Member Restler inquires about updated data on cooling access in NYC households, referencing a previous analysis by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Deputy Commissioner Joffe provides information from the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey.
- According to the survey, about 90% of NYC households have access to cooling through various methods.
- Council Member Restler highlights potential disparities, noting that low-income, predominantly African American communities may have lower rates of cooling access (around 75%).
- The discussion emphasizes the concentration of limited cooling access in poor, predominantly black and brown communities, contrasting with higher rates in middle and high-income areas.
Lincoln Restler
1:40:10
And I guess relatedly, DOHMH did their analysis not too long ago of what percent of a of tenants of apartment of households in New York City have access to cooling.
1:40:21
Do you guys have any updated data on that, or is there anything you can share?
Lucy Joffe
1:40:24
So I am not familiar with DOHMH's analysis through the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey.
1:40:30
We are quite confident in the numbers that we collect there.
1:40:33
And we know that about, 90% of households have access to cooling, through a variety of methods, whether it's, window installed or or building wide.
Lincoln Restler
1:40:45
Do you break that down geographically in HVAC?
Lucy Joffe
1:40:50
I didn't bring it today.
1:40:52
My understanding is there's not significant variation at the borough level, which is probably where we have it at.
1:40:58
But
Lincoln Restler
1:40:58
My understanding of the data is that in low income predominantly African American communities, like Brownsville, East New York, areas in the South Bronx, we see rates as low as 75% of households having access to cooling, and that's disproportionately where people are dying, right, from extreme heat.
1:41:15
And so if we're looking at a 90% figure citywide, but in poor, predominantly black communities, we're seeing 75%, black and brown communities, 75%.
1:41:23
That really means that in most middle income and higher income communities, we're in the mid nineties or above, and it's really this is an issue that's concentrated in in low income communities.
1:41:31
Is that a fair I mean, are you I know I'm not trying to you're not looking at the data in front of you, but is that consistent with your understanding, deputy commissioner?
