Adrianne Todman, Deputy Secretary | https://www.hud.gov/leadership#sec
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) unveiled new measures aimed at assisting communities in combating extreme heat as part of the Biden-Harris Administration's Earth Week initiatives.
In a statement, HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, "Extreme heat affects all of us. Historically underserved communities are even more vulnerable."
The initiatives include the publication of a webpage on Extreme Heat by HUD, serving as a central platform for actions communities can take to prepare and respond to extreme heat events. Additionally, HUD introduced two new technical assistance products: an Extreme Heat Quick Guide to aid communities in planning for extreme heat and identifying mitigation strategies, and a webinar on Extreme Heat and Cold focused on enhancing community resilience.
HUD is collaborating with over 20 Federal agencies in the National Integrated Heat Health Information System to raise awareness about the dangers of extreme heat and develop solutions to mitigate its negative impacts on communities nationwide.
Furthermore, HUD recently partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to launch a plan to map urban heat islands across 14 American communities. The department also conducted a roundtable in Puerto Rico to spotlight climate resilience funding opportunities in the region.
HUD's efforts align with the Administration's Justice40 Initiative, ensuring that historically marginalized communities benefit from Federal investment, especially low-income families.
These actions are just the beginning, with more announcements expected from HUD on their endeavors to address extreme heat in the future.
