"Climate change could worsen housing affordability and increase homelessness," warns a new study from the University of Sydney, published in the journal Cities. The research models the Australian housing market under different climate scenarios, revealing starkly unequal consequences.
Key Findings
- Under a high-emissions scenario, homelessness could be four times higher by 2036.
- Climate change erodes housing affordability in both high- and low-emission scenarios, but vulnerable households are worst affected in a fossil-fuel-intensive future.
- The study analyzed two decades of data and tested responses based on IPCC climate pathways.
Statements from Researchers & Experts
"The impacts are unequal, particularly affecting renters and the homeless. Climate change does not feature prominently in housing policy discussions."
— Associate Professor Nader Naderpajouh
"Fairer housing policies are needed to avoid worsening social inequities."
— Lead author Peyman Habibi-Moshfegh
"Climate change should be a central consideration in housing policy, including emissions reduction and resilience to extreme weather."
— Nicki Hutley, economist and councillor with the Climate Council
Context
The federal government's recent national climate risk assessment found that 10% of residential housing would be in very high risk areas by 2030, and that the climate crisis is worsening existing inequalities.