Spokane’s Cooling Law and Its Limits | Spokane News

Spokane is poised to pass a groundbreaking “right to cooling” law after 14 died in a 2021 heatwave — victims ranging from elderly to homeless to those in apartments with no AC. The ordinance forces landlords to provide cooling within 72 hours of notice, with tenants able to install their own systems and deduct costs from rent. But it won’t help the homeless or homeowners — even those struggling. Some died just blocks from cooling centers, underscoring how housing conditions and systemic neglect can be deadly. While tenant advocates celebrate the move, landlords warn of steep retrofitting costs. The mayor’s exploring alternatives like direct aid for energy upgrades — aiming to protect everyone, even as the city wrestles with affordability and infrastructure. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/80d8075df19e26d0