Beat the Heat ATX

Summer Solidarity Campaign

Housing Saves Lives. Community Keeps People Alive.

As Austin enters another summer of extreme heat, many of our unhoused and housing-insecure neighbors are facing dangerous conditions with limited access to shade, hydration, transportation, and other basic necessities.

At the same time, the City has expanded police-led sweeps across Austin without corresponding investments in housing, shelter, or support services. More than 30 community organizations urged city leaders to reconsider this approach. Despite widespread concerns, the City moved forward with six sweep teams, five led by APD.

For those living outside, displacement often means losing access to outreach workers, transportation, community support, survival supplies, and the stability needed to move toward housing.

Austin Mutual Aid believes our community deserves a different response.

The Summer Solidarity Campaign

Beat the Heat ATX is a community-led summer response focused on reducing heat-related harm and supporting neighbors experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

With support from the 512°F Moore Family Charitable Foundation, Austin Mutual Aid will distribute:

625 Cooling Kits
Thousands of bottles of water and electrolyte drinks
Resource guides and community information
Summer survival supplies
Transportation and outreach support

Cooling Kits Include

Cooling towel
Bucket hat
Sunglasses
Refillable misting bottle
Insect repellent
Drawstring bag
Handwritten note of care

How Your Support Helps

$25 – Hydration and cooling supplies

$50 – Supports community outreach and distribution

$100 – Helps provide emergency stabilization support

$250 – Supports transportation and outreach operations

$500+ – Sponsors a Summer Solidarity outreach deployment

Community Impact Goals

This summer we aim to:

Distribute 625 cooling kits
Distribute thousands of hydration supplies
Support weekly outreach efforts
Connect neighbors to resources and support
Strengthen community response during extreme heat events
Build long-term community care infrastructure

Why This Matters

Extreme heat is one of the deadliest weather-related threats in Texas.

Many of our neighbors living outside are older adults, people with disabilities, people managing chronic health conditions, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and community members working to overcome barriers to housing.

While housing remains the long-term solution, community care helps keep people alive today.

Join us in building a city where no one is left to face the Texas summer alone. Contact us at hello@austinmutualaid.org

Together, we can Beat the Heat.

Austin Mutual Aid
Community Care • Housing Stability • Summer Solidarity

Beat the Heat Summer 2026

Summer Solidarity Campaign

Team Members