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Toronto, as we know all too well, can get painfully hot in the summertime, and now a select group of residents will be able to get through the season comfortably with free air conditioning provided by the City. The City of Toronto announced on Tuesday that its Air Conditioner Assistance Program will return in 2026 and aims to distribute around 1,000 free portable A/C units to low-income apartment dwellers this year. The program provides relief for those who might otherwise struggle to afford a unit, which can cost up to $330 at stores like Best Buy. The program debuted in 2025 , delivering almost 500 units to low-income seniors with health-related issues, providing them with much-needed relief as temperatures reached a scorching 40 C . For those living in high-rise apartments without proper cooling, it can get brutally hot indoors — sometimes hotter than it is outdoors — which carries health risks such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and, in more serious cases, heat stroke. Toronto has tightened its rules around indoor temperatures in rental units. In buildings equipped with air conditioning, landlords are required to run systems from June 1 to September 30, ensuring units don't exceed 26 C. But if a building doesn't already have air conditioning, landlords aren't legally required to install it, though tenants may use a window unit if their lease allows. Last year, City Council passed a new bylaw requiring apartment buildings without air conditioning to give tenants access to a cool common space during the summer. This will come into effect on June 1, 2026. This year, in an effort to protect more residents from extreme heatwaves, program eligibility will expand to include pregnant individuals, as well as new parents and caregivers with infants. According to the City, applications will be open from April 7 to April 22, with residents selected through a random draw in May. As part of a $1-million allocation approved in the municipal budget, the City will also deliver and install the portable units for successful applicants. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow shares excitement about doubling the program's size this year and protecting vulnerable residents during soaring temperatures. "Last year's historic heat waves were a reminder of the impact extreme weather events have. These air conditioners will be a necessary support for Toronto residents," says Chow. While it's tough to say just how hot summer 2026 will get, there are reports of "summer-like weather" even in the coming weeks, so these complimentary air conditioners are sure to come in handy for Toronto residents.
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