Climate Change, Weather, Housing Precarity, and Homelessness: A Systematic Review of Reviews

Abstract

This systematic review of reviews was conducted to examine housing precarity and homelessness in relation to climate change and weather extremes internationally. In a thematic analysis of 15 reviews (5 systematic and 10 non-systematic), the following themes emerged: risk factors for homelessness/housing precarity, temperature extremes, health concerns, structural factors, natural disasters, and housing. First, an increased risk of homelessness has been found for people who are vulnerably housed and populations in lower socio-economic positions due to energy insecurity and climate change-induced natural hazards. Second, homeless/vulnerably-housed populations are disproportionately exposed to climatic events (temperature extremes and natural disasters). Third, the physical and mental health of homeless/vulnerably-housed populations is projected to be impacted by weather extremes and climate change. Fourth, while green infrastructure may have positive effects for homeless/vulnerably-housed populations, housing remains a major concern in urban environments. Finally, structural changes must be implemented. Recommendations for addressing the impact of climate change on homelessness and housing precarity were generated, including interventions focusing on homelessness/housing precarity and reducing the effects of weather extremes, improved housing and urban planning, and further research on homelessness/housing precarity and climate change. To further enhance the impact of these initiatives, we suggest employing the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA).

The Ecology of Unsheltered Homelessness: Environmental and Social-Network Predictors of Well-Being among an Unsheltered Homeless Population

“…Global, climate-induced migration is expected to force more people into refugee status in the coming years, which will likely increase the size of homeless populations globally [ 37 , 38 , 39 ]. Additionally, extreme weather events—including heat waves, wildfires, storms, and floods—are projected to increase and intensify due to climate change, leading to hazardous environmental conditions (e.g., poor air quality) that will cause even more people to lose their homes and increase the vulnerability of an unsheltered life [ 37 , 40 ]. These climate-related events will likely exacerbate the already precarious health of homeless populations [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Addressing Inequalities Toward Inclusive Governance for Achieving One Health: A Rapid Review

“…These effects require actions to be taken at country level and global level ( 27 ). Taking into account that climate change also affects disproportionately people without housing, Bezgrebelna and colleagues have suggested for application of a “ Human Rights-Based Approach ” in designing of interventions to address this situation ( 28 ). We note that health impacts of climate change are enormous and may increase as global warming continues.…”

Más allá de las identidades políticas: el rol de las resistencias de alteridades históricas en la soberanía alimentaria

“…El concepto de crisis civilizatoria se refiere a lo que Bartra ha denominado "emergencia polimorfa" (2013, p. 26), y que está caracterizada por manifestaciones paralelas de deterioro: ecológicas (García & Montanaro, 2019;Herrero, 2016), habitacionales (Bezgrebelna et al, 2021;Hales et al, 2007), energéticas (Ferrari, 2020;Manolis & Manoli, 2021;Masera Cerutti, 2020), etc. Esta crisis multidimensional afecta todas las áreas de la vida como la conocemos, incluyendo la salud y la alimentación.…”