NJ Cooling Centers Struggle To Reach Vulnerable Residents Amid Extreme Heat

NEWARK, N.J. — As New Jersey weathers another scorching summer, residents in cities like Newark, Camden, and East Orange are turning to cooling centers for relief—though questions remain about whether enough resources are reaching the state’s most vulnerable residents.

Temperatures across the region soared into the triple digits last week, prompting heat alerts and emergency action. Newark issued a Code Red alert, opening emergency shelters and urging residents without air conditioning to use city-run cooling centers.

Emergency Cooling Efforts Across Urban NJ

In Elizabeth, officials made five local recreation centers available as designated cooling sites, including the Fred Erxleben Rec Center and the Mickey Walker Rec Center. Hours ranged from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays, with additional weekend availability, according to a city flyer. Union County supported the operations.

Newark expanded its shelter capacity and increased 24-hour outreach during the emergency through its Department of Homeless Services. Cooling center information was made available via the city’s 4311 line and website.

Despite these efforts, some residents and advocates argue that the response hasn’t been enough—particularly in low-income, Black neighborhoods where the “urban heat island effect” makes summer heat even more dangerous. Paved surfaces and limited tree cover in these densely developed areas trap heat, often leaving communities several degrees hotter than surrounding regions.

Disparities in Heat Response

Sheila Jacobs, 61, who has high blood pressure, found herself displaced on a park bench last month after a shelter in Newark abruptly closed during a heat emergency. “It’s too hot for anybody to be here,” she said.

Reports like Jacobs’s highlight a gap between available services and actual access. Limited transportation, public awareness, and inconsistent hours often prevent those most at risk—such as seniors, unhoused individuals, and low-income families—from finding relief in time.

“Newark is regularly the hottest city in the region,” one resident said during a previous heat wave, “and they can’t even be bothered to open the pools or keep cooling centers open.”

Statewide Plans, Local Realities

In July 2024, Gov. Phil Murphy introduced an Extreme Heat Resilience Action Plan with more than 130 measures aimed at addressing these concerns. The plan calls for “Chill Out” zones, improved communication, and new cooling infrastructure. Yet advocates say implementation has been uneven.

With six of the state’s hottest summers on record occurring in the past decade, cities across New Jersey are under pressure to prepare—not only for the heat of today but for the long-term risks of climate change. For many residents, cooling centers aren’t just about comfort—they’re a matter of survival.

Jackie Mancilla contributed reporting to this story.

As New Jersey cities like Newark face extreme heat, cooling centers offer relief—but many vulnerable residents still struggle to access these lifesaving resources. Despite new state action plans, advocates say gaps remain in reaching those most at risk from the urban heat island effect.