Air Conditioner Assistance Program

Important Notice:

  • Protect vulnerable residents from extreme heat this summer by donating to the Air Conditioner Assistance Program. With your support, more seniors, pregnant individuals and families with infants can stay cool and protected this summer. Donations received before May 23, 2026 will be directed towards the purchase, delivery and installation of additional portable air conditioners this year. Donate Now.
  • Applications and support for the 2026 Air Conditioner Assistance Program will open on April 7. 

Description of Service/Summary

Toronto runs a program that provides free portable air conditioners to low‑income seniors with health‑related needs.

In 2026, the program is expanding to provide 1,000 free portable air conditioners and introducing a new eligibility stream for pregnant individuals and families with infants, while continuing support for seniors. The program supports Toronto’s climate resilience and Toronto’s Heat Relief Strategy.

 

Who can Apply

The program has 2 eligibility streams:

Stream 1: Seniors

  • To qualify, applicants must:
    • Be 65 years of age or older as of December 31, 2026. 
    • Have a self-identified medical need for air conditioning. 

Stream 2: Pregnant Individuals and Parent or Legal Guardian of Infant Documentation 

  • To qualify, applicants must:
    • Be pregnant, or
    • Be the parent or legal guardian of an infant under 1 year old at the time of application. 

All applicants must meet the common eligibility requirements listed below:

  • Reside in a multi‑unit residential building that is three or more storeys above grade and located in Toronto.
  • Do not currently have access to an air conditioning unit or in‑suite cooling.
  • Belong to a low‑income household, based on Statistics Canada’s Low‑Income Measure. 

Review the additional requirements listed on toronto.ca/ACProgram before you apply to make sure you are eligible. 

Required Documents

Please visit the City's website for a full listing of acceptable documents.

  • Income Documentation: Proof of income is required for all household family members aged 18 and older. Acceptable proof of income documents include:
    • Dependent Adults, 18 years of age or older, with no income, have not filed an income tax return and are attending school full-time, a confirmation of your full-time school timetable may be submitted instead of income documentation.
  • Address Documentation: Proof of address is required for the applicant only. If your address is displayed in your income document and matches your application, a separate document is not required to verify address. 
  • Date of Birth Documentation: Applicants applying through the seniors stream must provide proof of age. If the income or address documents provided does not display the applicant’s date of birth, the applicant must provide a document to confirm their date of birth.
  • Pregnant Individual/Parent or Legal Guardian of Infant Documentation: Applicants applying through the pregnant individuals and infants stream must provide verification of pregnancy status or verification of parenthood or guardianship status through a letter from a health care professional. 

      How to Apply

      Applications will open from Tuesday, April 7 to Monday, April 20. Eligible Toronto residents who are interested in the program are required to complete an application.  Please visit toronto.ca/ACProgram for full application requirements.

      • Apply Online
        • You are encouraged to apply online for the Air Conditioner Assistance program. You will need an email for this option.
        • Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email with your confirmation number.  In addition, you will receive an email with a unique Upload Token for any additional or missing documents. The unique Upload Token will be active until April 26. 
      • Apply by Phone
        • Live language interpretation will be available by telephone upon request. 
      • Apply in Person
        • If you are unable to apply online or by phone, starting on March 16, you can book an in-person appointment at one of the following City locations between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on select days between April 7 to April 20. 
          • Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter Street, M5A 1X6) 
          • Keele Community Hub (1652 Keele Street, M6M 3W3) 
          • Scarborough Civic Centre (150 Borough Drive, M1P 4N7) 
      • Selection Process
        • Eligible applicants will be selected through a randomized draw with successful applicants notified in May via email.
        • Distribution of the portable air conditioning units will begin by June.

      Additional Supports

      Save on Energy – Energy Affordability Program

      • The Energy Affordability Program  provides support to income-eligible electricity consumers by helping them to better manage their monthly electricity costs and to increase their home comfort. There are two types of support available through the Energy Affordability Program: Comprehensive Support and Energy Saving Kits. All expert advice and energy-saving home upgrades under this program are completely free of charge. 

      Ontario Electricity Support Program (OESP)

      • If you’re the customer of an electricity utility, and your household size and income meet certain levels, you may qualify for a reduction on your electricity bill through the OESP . The OESP will reduce the cost of your household electricity by applying a monthly credit directly to your bill. The credit amount will depend on how many people live in the home and the combined annual household after tax income.

      More information is available at toronto.ca/ACProgram.