Addressing the Intersection of Homelessness and Environmental Justice

The Impact on Unhoused People

Although climate events impact entire communities, people experiencing homelessness are among the most vulnerable to their dangers. While housed people are encouraged to evacuate or shelter in place, unhoused people are forced to contend with sweltering heat waves, deep freezes, flash flooding, hurricanes, smoke, and wildfires — all of which can make the choice of where to sleep a life-or-death decision. Moreover, they risk losing documents and medication in floods, are forced to breathe in toxic smoke during wildfires, and are at risk of hypothermia, heat stroke, and countless other dangers from unpredictable weather patterns.

The Impact on Housing

Climate events have a direct impact on efforts to build and expand housing. Not only do they contribute to soaring insurance and construction costs for development, but they also reduce the community’s options for where housing can even be sited. This leaves communities with fewer resources to serve people in need.

The Impact on Homeless Response Efforts

A climate disaster can be devastating to homeless response efforts. Providers who are already stretched thin must increase outreach and shift operations to ensure that as many people as possible can access the available shelter. In some cases, operations must be entirely suspended, disconnecting people from their case managers and the services they need.

Prioritizing Climate Justice in Homelessness Solutions

We’re working across sectors to tackle the urgent need for shelter, disaster response, and long-term housing solutions for people facing the dual crises of homelessness and climate change. As new research emerges, we’ll be adding more tools, resources, and partnerships to support this essential work.

Building Resilient Communities to Tackle Environmental Injustice

We’re partnering with federal and state agencies to address environmental and climate risks for people experiencing homelessness. Our focus is on creating disaster response systems that are inclusive, equitable, and able to protect those most at risk during extreme weather events.