Climate Change Exacerbates Homelessness Crisis

In sunny California, where the weather typically is a friend to many, Climate change is proving to be a formidable foe. The state’s rising homelessness problem – now totaling over 170,000 unhoused individuals – finds itself at a risky intersection with worsening weather patterns. When Tropical Storm Hilary threatened Los Angeles recently, the immediate concern among many was the safety of the city’s homeless population.

Source: 23 ABC News | KERO/YouTube

Quick to react, city agencies worked tirelessly to evacuate the vulnerable groups living in areas prone to flooding, such as river banks and dams. While outreach efforts were commendable, many of the city’s homeless only became aware of the storm through word of mouth, relying on distributed tarps to protect their belongings.

The repercussions of climate change disproportionately impact the vulnerable. This was evident when over 300 homeless individuals succumbed to heat-related deaths in Arizona’s Maricopa County in just two years (2020 and 2021). While Tropical Storm Hilary spared lives, it still robbed many unhoused individuals in L.A. of their possessions and makeshift homes. The mental toll of these events cannot be ignored, with studies indicating increased PTSD and mental health conditions among those affected.

Climate change introduces unpredictability. While homeless communities might have strategies for routine seasonal changes, surprise events – like an unusual hurricane in L.A. or the devastating Maui wildfire – can leave them unprepared and vulnerable.

This unpredictability is not just about immediate safety. Climate change indirectly increases homelessness. After Hurricane Katrina, 12,000 people remained homeless four years post-disaster. A startling 2% of California’s homeless attribute their situation to natural disasters, often driven by Climate change.

Maui’s recent wildfire, which tragically claimed over 100 lives and left many missing, exacerbates its pre-existing housing crisis. With many now seeking shelter and housing prices already sky-high due to tourism, the situation is grim. Organizations like Hawaii’s Family Life Center are inundated with calls for help, but solutions seem distant.

Climate change and homelessness are interconnected issues that need urgent, combined attention. As the world warms up, it’s imperative to safeguard those with no roofs over their heads.

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