Climate Vulnerability and Homelessness in Houston

Introduction

Houston's geography and climate create a unique set of vulnerabilities that profoundly impact homelessness in the region. Built on bayous in a low-lying coastal plain, the city faces recurring threats from hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, and extreme heat. These environmental hazards interact with homelessness in two critical ways: they can precipitate housing loss, creating new homelessness, and they pose acute dangers to people already experiencing homelessness.

This article examines the complex relationship between climate vulnerability and homelessness in Houston, exploring how environmental hazards contribute to housing instability, the particular risks faced by people experiencing homelessness during disasters and extreme weather, and approaches to addressing these interconnected challenges.

Houston's Climate Vulnerability Profile

Understanding Houston's environmental risks provides essential context for their impact on homelessness.

Flooding and Hurricane Risk

Houston faces significant and increasing flood hazards:

• Located on a flat coastal plain with clay soils that limit water absorption
• Crossed by numerous bayous and waterways that can overflow during heavy rain
• Approximately 25% of Harris County lies within the 100-year floodplain
• Has experienced multiple "500-year" flood events in recent years, including Hurricane Harvey (2017), the Tax Day Floods (2016), and the Memorial Day Floods (2015)
• Climate change is increasing both the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events
• Sea level rise and subsidence (sinking land) are exacerbating coastal flooding risks

Extreme Heat

Houston's heat creates serious health risks:

• Average of 106 days per year with temperatures above 90°F (32°C)
• High humidity levels that increase the heat index and reduce the body's ability to cool through sweating
• Urban heat island effect that makes city temperatures 2-5°F higher than surrounding areas
• Climate change is increasing both average temperatures and the frequency of extreme heat events
• Projected to experience 25-40 additional days above 100°F (38°C) annually by 2050

Other Environmental Hazards

Additional risks that affect housing and homelessness:

• Air quality challenges from industrial facilities, refineries, and transportation emissions
• Chemical spills and releases during flooding events
• Vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus that can spread after flooding
• Mold and indoor air quality issues following water damage
• Infrastructure failures during extreme weather, including power outages and water system problems

Climate Disasters as Pathways to Homelessness

Environmental hazards can directly cause housing loss and homelessness in Houston.

Immediate Displacement

Disasters create sudden housing crises:

• Hurricane Harvey displaced approximately 30,000 people into temporary shelters
• Approximately 1,500 households were still in FEMA-funded hotel rooms six months after Harvey
• The 2021 Winter Storm Uri caused widespread pipe bursts and water damage that displaced thousands
• Localized flooding regularly displaces residents from certain vulnerable neighborhoods
• While most disaster displacement is temporary, some households never return to stable housing

Long-Term Housing Loss

Disaster impacts can extend far beyond the immediate emergency:

• Approximately 30% of homes damaged by Harvey were outside designated flood zones, meaning many owners lacked flood insurance
• Uninsured losses create financial crises that can lead to foreclosure or eviction
• Even with insurance, gaps between damage costs and coverage can create financial strain
• Repeated flooding can make properties uninsurable or prohibitively expensive to insure
• Disaster-related job losses compound housing challenges when income is disrupted

Affordable Housing Stock Reduction

Disasters disproportionately impact affordable housing:

• Lower-income housing is often located in more flood-prone areas
• Older housing stock, which tends to be more affordable, is more vulnerable to damage
• Post-disaster reconstruction often replaces affordable units with higher-cost housing
• Houston lost approximately 15,000 affordable rental units due to Harvey damage
• Many smaller landlords lack resources to rebuild, leading to permanent loss of rental units

Vulnerable Populations at Highest Risk

Disaster-related homelessness affects some groups disproportionately:

• Low-income renters often lack renter's insurance and have limited savings to recover
• Undocumented immigrants face barriers to accessing disaster assistance programs
• People with disabilities face additional challenges during evacuation and recovery
• Elderly residents on fixed incomes may be unable to afford repairs or increased housing costs
• Those already experiencing housing instability before a disaster are at highest risk of becoming homeless

"Climate disasters don't create homelessness in a vacuum—they expose and exacerbate existing vulnerabilities in our housing system. When a family is already paying 50% of their income for housing, has no savings, and then faces thousands in uninsured flood damage, the path to homelessness becomes almost inevitable without intervention."

Climate Hazards and Unsheltered Homelessness

People already experiencing homelessness face acute risks during extreme weather and disasters.

Flood Risks for Unsheltered People

Flooding creates immediate dangers:

• Many encampments are located near bayous and in flood-prone areas
• Flash flooding can occur with little warning, especially at night
• Personal belongings, identification documents, and medications can be lost in floods
• Contaminated floodwater poses serious health risks, including exposure to sewage and chemicals
• Post-flood mosquito proliferation increases disease risks for those living outdoors

Extreme Heat Impacts

Heat poses a deadly threat to unsheltered individuals:

• Heat-related deaths among people experiencing homelessness in Houston have increased by approximately 40% since 2018
• Limited access to air conditioning and cool spaces during daytime hours
• Urban surfaces like concrete and asphalt amplify heat in areas where many unsheltered people stay
• Chronic health conditions common among people experiencing homelessness increase heat vulnerability
• Medications for mental health and other conditions can reduce the body's ability to regulate temperature

Disaster Response Challenges

Emergency systems often fail to adequately include people experiencing homelessness:

• Evacuation plans may not account for people without transportation or resources
• Emergency communications often don't reach people without phones or internet access
• Shelter requirements like ID can create barriers for people experiencing homelessness
• Post-disaster assistance programs typically require a pre-disaster address
• People experiencing homelessness are often excluded from disaster recovery planning

Secondary Impacts

Disasters create additional challenges beyond immediate safety risks:

• Service disruptions when homeless service providers are affected by disasters
• Increased competition for affordable housing after disasters
• Heightened law enforcement activity and camp clearings during emergency declarations
• Mental health impacts from trauma and loss
• Disruption of informal support networks and familiar environments

Geographic Patterns of Vulnerability

Climate vulnerability and homelessness intersect in specific geographic patterns across Houston.

Flood-Prone Areas and Affordable Housing

A troubling overlap exists between flood risk and housing affordability:

• Approximately 30% of Houston's affordable housing stock is located in the 100-year floodplain
• Historically redlined neighborhoods often have higher flood risk due to underinvestment in drainage infrastructure
• Areas like Kashmere Gardens, Trinity/Houston Gardens, and Sunnyside face both high flood risk and high rates of housing insecurity
• Post-disaster buyout programs have removed affordable housing without adequate replacement
• Land values in safer areas have increased, pushing affordable housing to more vulnerable locations

Encampment Locations and Environmental Hazards

Unsheltered homelessness often concentrates in environmentally vulnerable areas:

• Approximately 65% of identified encampments in Houston are within a quarter-mile of a bayou or flood-prone area
• Many encampments are located under highways or bridges that provide some shelter but amplify heat
• Industrial areas where some encampments form often have additional environmental hazards
• Areas with tree canopy that provide natural cooling are often subject to "cleaning" operations
• Displacement from safer areas often pushes people to more environmentally vulnerable locations

Urban Heat Islands and Homelessness

Heat exposure varies significantly across the city:

• Downtown and other areas with high concentrations of unsheltered homelessness can be 7-10°F hotter than surrounding areas
• Lower-income neighborhoods typically have less tree canopy and more heat-absorbing surfaces
• Areas with cooling resources (libraries, community centers) are not always accessible to people experiencing homelessness
• Public transportation routes may not connect encampment areas with cooling centers during heat emergencies
• Gentrification of formerly affordable neighborhoods has displaced people to areas with less shade and higher heat exposure

Post-Disaster Displacement Patterns

Disasters reshape where homelessness occurs:

• After Hurricane Harvey, homelessness increased in areas that had not previously had significant homeless populations
• Suburban areas saw increases in first-time homelessness following major flooding events
• Disaster-related displacement often moves people away from their support networks and familiar service providers
• Areas with damaged affordable housing stock see increased housing instability for years after disasters
• Post-disaster redevelopment can accelerate gentrification, creating new patterns of displacement

Response Strategies and Solutions

Houston has developed various approaches to address the intersection of climate vulnerability and homelessness.

Emergency Response for Unsheltered Populations

Strategies to protect people during extreme weather:

• The Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) conducts targeted outreach before and during severe weather events
• Emergency warming centers during cold weather with relaxed entry requirements
• Cooling centers during extreme heat with extended hours
• Distribution of weather-appropriate supplies (blankets, ponchos, cooling towels, water)
• Transportation assistance to emergency shelters during severe weather
• Text alert systems for service providers and people experiencing homelessness

Disaster Homelessness Prevention

Programs to prevent disaster-related housing loss:

• Disaster case management programs that provide housing assistance and navigation
• Rapid repair programs to quickly address damage before it leads to displacement
• Rental assistance programs specifically for disaster-affected households
• Legal services to address disaster-related housing issues (insurance claims, landlord disputes)
• Flexible financial assistance to cover gaps in traditional disaster aid

Climate-Resilient Housing Approaches

Building housing that can withstand environmental hazards:

• Elevated design standards for affordable housing developments in flood-prone areas
• Buyout programs with one-for-one replacement of affordable units in safer locations
• Energy-efficient affordable housing that remains habitable during power outages
• Community land trusts developing climate-resilient affordable housing
• Microgrids and solar installations at homeless shelters and supportive housing

Cross-System Coordination

Integrating homelessness and disaster response systems:

• Inclusion of homeless service providers in emergency management planning
• Representation of people with lived experience of homelessness on resilience planning committees
• Data sharing between disaster response agencies and homeless service systems
• Joint training exercises between emergency management and homeless outreach teams
• Coordinated funding streams that address both immediate needs and long-term housing stability

Case Study: Hurricane Harvey's Impact on Homelessness

Hurricane Harvey provides a critical case study of the relationship between climate disasters and homelessness in Houston.

Immediate Homelessness Impact

Harvey created an acute homelessness crisis:

• Peak shelter population of approximately 34,000 people across the region
• The George R. Brown Convention Center housed over 10,000 people at its peak
• People already experiencing homelessness were displaced from familiar areas
• Many sheltered in place in dangerous conditions due to lack of transportation or information
• Some encampments were completely destroyed by floodwaters

Transitional Homelessness

Many households experienced periods of homelessness after Harvey:

• Approximately 3,800 households lived in hotels through FEMA's Transitional Sheltering Assistance
• "Hidden homelessness" increased as people doubled up with family and friends
• Some households cycled between temporary arrangements for months or years
• School districts reported a 30% increase in students identified as homeless post-Harvey
• Many households depleted savings and support networks, increasing vulnerability to future homelessness

Long-Term Housing Impacts

Harvey's effects on housing stability continued for years:

• The Point-in-Time Count of homelessness increased by 15% in the year following Harvey
• Approximately 30% of people entering the homeless service system in 2018-2019 cited Harvey as a contributing factor
• Eviction rates increased by 40% in heavily flooded areas within a year after Harvey
• Rental prices increased by an average of 17% in less-flooded areas due to increased demand
• Some neighborhoods lost 20-30% of their affordable housing stock permanently

Response and Recovery Lessons

Harvey provided important lessons for future disasters:

• The importance of pre-disaster coordination between homeless services and emergency management
• The need for disaster case management specifically focused on housing stability
• The value of flexible funding that can address gaps in traditional disaster assistance
• The critical role of legal services in preventing disaster-related evictions and foreclosures
• The importance of rebuilding affordable housing in safer locations

Future Challenges and Opportunities

Looking ahead, Houston faces both growing risks and potential solutions.

Increasing Climate Risks

Climate projections suggest growing challenges:

• Rainfall intensity is projected to increase by 12-15% by 2050
• Sea level rise of 1-4 feet by 2100 will increase coastal flooding and hurricane storm surge
• The number of days above 100°F is expected to triple by mid-century
• More frequent and intense hurricanes are projected for the Gulf Coast
• Compound disasters (multiple hazards occurring simultaneously or in succession) are becoming more likely

Vulnerable Infrastructure

Aging systems create additional risks:

• Much of Houston's housing stock was not built to withstand current climate hazards
• Power grid vulnerabilities exposed during Winter Storm Uri remain largely unaddressed
• Water and wastewater systems face increasing stress during extreme weather
• Transportation networks that could support evacuation are vulnerable to flooding
• Social infrastructure like homeless shelters often lacks backup systems for power and water

Policy and Planning Opportunities

Emerging approaches offer potential solutions:

• Houston's Resilient Housing Design Challenge is developing innovative housing models
• The Resilient Houston plan includes specific strategies for vulnerable populations
• Harris County's Equity-Based Prioritization Framework for flood projects now considers social vulnerability
• Federal funding for climate resilience is increasingly available for projects that address housing stability
• Cross-sector collaborations between housing, healthcare, and emergency management are expanding

Community-Based Approaches

Grassroots efforts are creating new models:

• Mutual aid networks that emerged during recent disasters are becoming more formalized
• Community resilience hubs provide resources during both everyday challenges and disasters
• Neighborhood-based disaster preparedness groups are including outreach to unhoused residents
• Faith communities are developing more coordinated approaches to extreme weather response
• Lived experience advisory groups are informing more inclusive emergency planning

Conclusion

The relationship between climate vulnerability and homelessness in Houston is bidirectional and complex. Environmental hazards like flooding, hurricanes, and extreme heat can precipitate housing loss and homelessness, while people already experiencing homelessness face heightened risks during disasters and extreme weather events. This intersection creates both acute crises during disasters and chronic challenges in their aftermath.

Houston's geography and climate make these challenges particularly pronounced. Built on a flood-prone coastal plain with a hot, humid climate, the city faces multiple environmental hazards that are intensifying with climate change. These hazards interact with existing housing affordability challenges, racial and economic inequities, and infrastructure vulnerabilities to create pathways to homelessness.

Addressing the nexus of climate vulnerability and homelessness requires integrated approaches that span emergency management, affordable housing development, social services, and climate resilience planning. By recognizing the connections between these issues and developing coordinated solutions, Houston can both reduce disaster-related homelessness and better protect people experiencing homelessness during environmental emergencies.

As climate change continues to intensify environmental hazards, the importance of this work will only grow. Houston's experience offers important lessons for other cities facing similar challenges and underscores the need to center the needs of the most vulnerable in climate resilience efforts.

References & Further Reading

1. National Hurricane Center. "Tropical Cyclone Report: Hurricane Harvey." National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2018. https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/AL092017_Harvey.pdf
2. Harris County Flood Control District. "Hurricane Harvey: Impact and Response." Harris County Flood Control District, 2018. https://www.hcfcd.org/hurricane-harvey
3. City of Houston. "Resilient Houston." City of Houston, 2020. https://www.houstontx.gov/mayor/Resilient-Houston.pdf
4. Shultz, James M., and Sandro Galea. "Mitigating the Mental and Physical Health Consequences of Hurricane Harvey." JAMA, vol. 318, no. 15, 2017, pp. 1437-1438. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.14618
5. National Low Income Housing Coalition. "The Gap: Houston Metro Area." NLIHC, 2023. https://nlihc.org/gap
6. Ramin, Brodie, and Tomislav Svoboda. "Health of the Homeless and Climate Change." Journal of Urban Health, vol. 86, no. 4, 2009, pp. 654-664. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-009-9354-7
7. Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County. "State of Homelessness Report." Coalition for the Homeless, 2023. https://www.homelesshouston.org/
8. FEMA. "Hurricane Harvey: FEMA After-Action Report." Federal Emergency Management Agency, 2018. https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/frameworks
9. Rice University Kinder Institute for Urban Research. "The Urban Edge: Houston After Harvey." Rice University, 2018. https://kinder.rice.edu/
10. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. "Climate Change and Health: Populations at Risk." National Academies Press, 2017. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/