Summer Days Just Got Cooler

This year, Second Story Community Homes & Services was honoured to receive support through the Niagara Community Foundation’s David S. Howes Fund Grants Program for an important health and safety initiative at Genesis Court, an apartment building providing permanent supportive housing for those of low to moderate income. The Genesis Court Health & Safety Air Conditioning Project will provide 58 permanently installed air conditioning units to families and individuals living in the building, many of whom are seniors, young children, or people living with physical and mental health challenges.

For the residents of Genesis Court, access to air conditioning is far more than a comfort during the summer months. As temperatures continue to rise and extreme heat events become more common, maintaining safe indoor temperature has become an increasingly important health issue. Many tenants are living on low incomes and would otherwise face the difficult choice between paying for cooling or covering other basic necessities. Through this project, residents will receive new air conditioning units at no cost, with electricity costs for cooling also covered.

The project also addresses growing safety concerns within the building. Existing awning-style windows were never designed to safely support traditional in-window air conditioning units, creating risks related to improper installation, water damage, and potential injury. With support from this grant, all units will be professionally installed into secure custom-fitted sleeves as part of a larger window replacement initiative already underway at Genesis Court. These upgrades will improve safety, reduce energy loss, and help lower future maintenance and hydro costs through more efficient cooling and better-insulated windows.

At its heart, this project is about dignity, stability, and care. It reflects a belief that everyone deserves to feel safe and comfortable in their home, especially during periods of extreme heat. We are deeply grateful to Niagara Community Foundation and the David S. Howes Fund for helping invest in the health, safety, and future of our community.