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How Does Heat Affect You and Your Community?
Your answers will help bring cooling, healing, and resources to neighborhoods like Fruitvale and West Oakland.
Takes 5–7 minutes
Responses are anonymous
SECTION 1: About You
1.
What’s your ZIP code?
94601 (Fruitvale)
94607 (West Oakland)
Other (please specify)
2.
What is your age?
Under 18
18–24
25–34
35–54
55 or older
Other (please specify)
3.
What is your gender?
Woman
Man
Trans / Nonbinary
Prefer not to say
Other (please specify)
4.
What race or ethnicity do you identify with? (Select all that apply)
Black / African American
Latino / Latinx
Asian / Pacific Islander
Indigenous / Native
White
Other (please specify)
5.
What language(s) do you speak at home? (Select all that apply)
English
Spanish
Chinese
Vietnamese
Other (please specify)
SECTION 2: How Heat Affects You
6.
How does the heat affect your body or mood? (Select all that apply)
I get tired or dizzy
I feel irritable or angry
I fight or argue more
I avoid being outside
I feel good in the heat
I feel more relaxed in heat
I need sun for my mental health
Other (please specify)
7.
Where do you usually go to cool off when it’s really hot? (Select all that apply)
My home
Friend/family member’s place
Library or community center
Park or walking trail
Pool, beach, or river
Store or business
I don’t have a place to cool down
Other (please specify)
8.
Do the places you go to cool off cost money or require purchase?
Yes
No
Sometimes
9.
Do you think heat affects safety in your neighborhood?
Yes
No
Not sure
Other (please specify)
10.
Do you have access to public transportation to reach a cooling space?
Yes
No
Sometimes
I wouldn’t use it even if I had it
11.
Do you know of any cooling centers or emergency shelters near you?
Yes
No
I’ve heard of them but don’t know where they are
12.
Do you trust public services (like police, EMS, shelters) to help in a heat emergency?
Yes
No
It depends
13.
Have you experienced heat-related stress while incarcerated or in a locked facility?
Yes
No
Prefer not to say
Other (please specify)
SECTION 3: What Helps or Hurts
14.
Does your home get too hot in the summer?
Yes, very hot
A little hot
No, it stays cool
I don’t have stable housing
15.
What makes it feel hotter near your home? (Select all that apply)
Sidewalks or streets
Concrete walls or pavement
Lack of trees or shade
Dark rooftops or buildings
Other (please specify)
16.
Do you have any of these at home? (Select all that apply)
Air conditioning (A/C)
Fans
Shade (trees, curtains, awnings)
Windows that open
Cool flooring (tile or concrete)
None of these
17.
Does anyone in your home have health issues that get worse in the heat?
Yes
No
Not sure
18.
What do you use to cool yourself down? (Select all that apply)
Fan (handheld or electric)
Shade (trees, curtains, hat, hoodie)
Water (bottle, hose, fountain)
Car rides or bus rides
No tools—just sweat
Nothing works
Other (please specify)
19.
Do you have a pool or other water resource nearby?
Yes – and I use it
Yes – but it’s not accessible
No
Used to, but it got shut down
20.
Where do you go to feel connected to nature?
I don’t have a place like that
Park or walking trail
Garden (home, school, or community)
The hills, beach, or open space
Other (please specify)
SECTION 4: Community Solutions
21.
What makes it harder for people in your area to deal with heat? (Select all that apply)
Not enough trees or shade
No A/C or fans
Unsafe to go outside
Can’t afford to use A/C
Crowded housing
Language or technology barriers
Other (please specify)
22.
What would help your block or building stay cooler? (Select all that apply)
More trees or shaded areas
Working water fountains
Access to free fans or A/C
Cooling centers open late
Safer outdoor spaces
Free transportation to cool places
Help paying electricity bills
Other (please specify)
23.
If we created a free community “cooling spot,” what would make you want to go there? (Select all that apply)
Free cold water and snacks
Charging stations / Wi-Fi
Health services or meds
Youth-friendly space
Misting stations
Open past 5 PM
Safe for all genders / LGBTQ+
Music, games, or relaxing vibe
Other (please specify)
24.
What is something you or your family already do to cool down?
SECTION 5: Stay Involved
25.
Would you like to stay involved or get updates on this community heat project?
Yes – please contact me
No thank you
Name/Phone or Email
