Climate-Related Housing Loss Linked To Increases In Homelessness
Climate-related property loss was associated with increases in year-over-year homelessness within U.S. states from 2019 to 2024, according to a recent study. By contrast, year-to-year change in overall homelessness was not significantly associated with average rents, unemployment, emergency rental assistance, or substance use.
During the study period, homelessness increased by a mean of 7.0% per year. Sheltered homelessness increased by 6.1% per year, unsheltered homelessness by 16.0%, adult homelessness by 7.2%, and child homelessness by 8.4%.
Each additional home-equivalent lost to climate-related events per 10,000 population . . .

