Introducing AC Rescue: Fighting Heat with Comfort and Care

Rebuilding Together-AFF has partnered with Fairfax County’s Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination (OEEC) to launch AC Rescue, a brand-new program focused on preventing heat-related illness by delivering critical cooling support to those who need it most. Darek Newby (introduced in the July newsletter) has joined our team as the Program Manager for AC Rescue and he hit the ground running.

AC Rescue serves low- and moderate-income households across Fairfax County—including mobile homes, condos, apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes. The program provides portable and window AC units. Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms will also be installed as part of the service.

Each household will have a phone interview and then receive a personal visit to confirm their need and identify the safest, most effective solution. Because we don’t yet know how many households are living without AC, we’re starting with referrals from Fairfax County caseworkers and community partners and will expand as the program evolves. Eligible homeowners will also receive an RT Express assessment to make sure their home is safe and healthy based on our 40 standard critical repairs and modifications.

The need for cooling is both real and urgent. Last summer’s extreme heat—and the 29 days over 90 degrees we’ve already experienced this year—have shown just how dangerous it can be to live without air conditioning.

If you’re interested in joining the AC Rescue team as a volunteer, please email us at info@rebuildingtogether-aff.org or call (703) 528-1999.

Together, we can help our neighbors stay safe and cool—all summer long.