With Middle Tennessee already baking, Metro Action Commission is turning up the relief in the form of free window air conditioners and box fans for qualifying Davidson County households. The agency’s Summer Cooling program, which opened May 1 and runs through the end of August, is geared toward keeping the county’s most vulnerable residents safer as temperatures climb.
Who qualifies and what to bring
The program is open to Davidson County residents who are elderly, have a child under six in the home, or have a medical condition that can be worsened by extreme heat. Households also have to meet Metro Action Commission’s income guidelines to be approved.
To apply, residents need a completed application, a government-issued photo ID and proof of income for everyone in the household who earns money. The Summer Cooling program is supported largely by donations of new air conditioning units and fans, according to Metro Action Commission, so inventory can fluctuate.
How to apply and where to pick up
Applications can be submitted online, by mail or in person at Metro Action’s customer-care center. In many cases, once an application is approved and units are in stock, residents have been able to pick up an air conditioner or fan the same day.
NewsChannel 5 reported the program nearly ran out of air conditioners last week before fresh donations restocked supplies. Staff warn that inventory can drop quickly during heat spikes, so applicants are encouraged to call ahead or check the Metro Action online portal to confirm availability before making the trip.
Why it’s urgent this week
As the heat and humidity build, WSMV’s First Alert Weather team has issued First Alert Weather days, with daytime highs headed for the mid- to upper 90s and heat-index values between 100° and 105° across much of the area, according to WSMV.
That kind of heat can be especially dangerous for older adults, very young children, and people living with chronic health conditions. Metro Action and health officials say getting applications in early and keeping donations flowing are key to reducing heat-related risks for those residents.
What to bring — a quick checklist
Metro Action’s application packet spells out what is required to apply:
- Completed and signed application form
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security cards for everyone in the household
- Proof of income for all household members 18 and older
The full application and checklist are available in Metro Action’s online application form, which also explains how to submit by mail or in person at the Airways Plaza office. Showing up with all the paperwork in order can speed up the review and, when units are available, make same-day pickup possible.
Contact and donations
Metro Action accepts donations of new, in-box window units and fans at its main office, along with monetary contributions earmarked for the Summer Cooling program. WSMV lists Marvin Cox at 615-862-8860, ext. 70120 as a direct contact for the program, and the agency’s general customer-care line is 615-862-8860.
Because supplies can get tight once the heat index soars, organizers recommend calling ahead before dropping off donations and bringing items in their original manufacturer packaging whenever possible.
