On August 19, City Council approved an ordinance spearheaded by At-Large 4 Councilmember Alejandra Salinas that requires all rental properties to have air conditioning. Previously, landlords could opt out of air conditioning if the property had window screens. Now, they must install some sort of air conditioning. Central air conditioning is not required; window or other units will suffice, and they will have 120 days to comply.
Councilmember Salinas highlighted public support, notably the Houston Apartment Association, and said the Health Department will guide implementation and enforcement. Councilmember Salinas also announced her office is giving away portable A/C units. Find information on eligibility and how to apply here.
The ordinance comes during a streak of more than 100 days in Houston, and not all councilmembers were in favor. At-Large 3 Councilmember Twila Carter and District E Councilmember Fred Flickinger voted against the measure. Though Mayor Whitmire supported the ordinance, he echoed many councilmembers’ concerns, including higher utility bills, increased rent as landlords pass the cost down to tenants, and a reduction in affordable housing, which could land people on the streets.
At-Large 2 Councilmember Willie Davis accused the ordinance of making empty promises, saying that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce. Councilmember Carter called it an “unfunded mandate with no meaningful guardrails for the tenants,” and stated that air conditioning can raise people’s electricity bills to a level they can’t pay, resulting in their electricity being cut off or even eviction. Councilmember Flickinger agreed, noting that the ordinance only addresses a symptom of the root cause: poverty. Landlords who keep prices low by not providing air conditioning might decide the cost of A/C isn’t worth it and choose to remove affordable housing from the market, leaving people nowhere to go but the street.
District H Councilmember Mario Castillo countered, saying many of his colleagues’ concerns are unfounded. Other Texas cities have implemented similar measures but have never experienced any of the mentioned dangers, he added, though did not specify which. He also emphasized the direct link between heat and public health, noting that extreme heat conditions most often negatively affect vulnerable populations. “Our codes and our regulations are designed to keep people safe,” Castillo said. “This [ordinance] is raising the bar on the minimum, which is that when you rent a place, there will be a cooling unit. That doesn’t mean folks have to run it 24/7, but it’s there to keep people safe from the high heat.”
District J Councilmember Pollard agreed, noting that unintended consequences, like higher electricity bills, are unavoidable, but it’s the council’s job to prioritize public health. “Living here without AC should be criminal,” he said.