Climate Change and Homelessness
Climate change has a number of impacts on homelessness. Some of these are very direct, with impacts of extreme weather events forcing people from their homes and placing rough sleepers at heightened risk. Some are more indirect, such as the effect of displaced households adding to rental demand as housing stock has been lost, or the long-term effect of some properties becoming uninhabitable.
Rough sleeping is a perilous situation at the best of times, with people at risk of violence, poor health, exposure to inclement weather and immense mental health impacts. There are plenty of good reasons to support rough sleepers to end their homelessness. Climate impacts are just one more.
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The second thing that happens when there is a climate -related emergency is that people are displaced for varying lengths of time. For some this can be only short term if their home is relatively undamaged – once the emergency is over they may be able to quickly return while any repairs are done. However, where their home has suffered extensive damage they could need alternative accommodation for lengthy periods – months and often years – or in the case of tenants, need to break their lease and move permanently.
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Along with these immediate impacts there is also a long term adaptation challenge which, if not handled well, can increase the overall pressure on housing affordability and availability.
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