Failing air conditioners, extreme heat have City Council concerned

June 25, 2025

Detroit City Council members are addressing urgent air conditioning failures in multiple apartment buildings during a dangerous heat wave affecting the city. Council Member Mary Waters and Council President Mary Sheffield are working with building inspectors and management to resolve outages at Whitmore Apartments and The Jefferson Apartments, where temperatures have reached dangerous levels. The situation is particularly concerning for senior residents, with management at The Jefferson promising repairs by Thursday and potentially offering rent credits to affected tenants.

Who is affected

Residents of Whitmore Apartments and The Jefferson Apartments
Senior residents in high-rise buildings
Detroiters living in buildings without functioning air conditioning
Residents who have spent money on portable AC units ($389 mentioned)
People vulnerable to heat-related illnesses, especially in neighborhoods with less tree cover
47% of Detroit residential structures with limited or no air conditioning access

What action is being taken

Council Member Mary Waters is working with city inspectors to restore air conditioning at Whitmore Apartments
Council President Mary Sheffield is meeting with residents at The Jefferson Apartments
Sheffield is maintaining communication with property managers and the Buildings Safety Engineering and Environmental Department
Building management at The Jefferson has promised repairs by Thursday
Management has provided portable air conditioning units to some pre-selected residents
Some tenants are staying in hotels to escape the heat

Why it matters

Wayne County is under an extreme heat warning with temperatures over 90 degrees and heat index reaching 104
Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services data shows emergency department visits increase when temperatures exceed 80 degrees
Much of Detroit is considered highly vulnerable to extreme heat
A 2020 study found increased odds of heat-related illness for people without air conditioning
The situation is particularly dangerous for older residents, with Council Member Waters warning that "Seniors will literally lay there and die"

What's next

Repairs at The Jefferson Apartments are scheduled to be completed by Thursday
Temperatures are expected to return to the 90s by the weekend after a midweek cooldown
No explicit next steps stated in the article regarding other affected buildings or city-wide prevention measures

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com