Flood risk for affordable housing expected to triple by 2050

Affordable housing properties will face higher risk of floods due to climate change over the next few decades, according to new research.

A study by Climate Central and the National Housing Trust found that the threat will likely triple in the next 30 years. The study looked at risks posed not just by extreme weather events such as hurricanes, but also at increasingly common sunny-day flooding caused by sea level rise.

Flood threats driven by the climate crisis will exacerbate the affordable housing crisis. The study identified communities where up to 90% of affordable housing will be at risk.

Low-income renters have few alternative housing options if a disaster damages their homes, points out an affordable housing advocate. Owners typically have little incentive to rebuild or renovate housing to keep it affordable