The New York City Council wants to know how many homeless shelters lack air conditioning, and what it will cost to install it as climate change threatens even hotter summers.

On Thursday, the Council is expected to pass a measure requiring the city to publicly report the percentage of shelters with air conditioning in congregate or sleeping areas as a first step to better understand the scope of the problem.

”We just want the opportunity for the New Yorkers that are staying there to feel like they deserve to have a dignified space and an outlet if and when that doesn't happen,” said Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez, who is sponsoring the bill.

The city’s Department of Homeless Services, which oversees more than 86,000 people in its shelter system, told Gothamist nearly half its shelt

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