Climate Change and Housing Loss

This research explores the impacts of climate displacement on residents following the 2018 and 2019 Wolastoq River floods. The team’s research revealed that flooding deepened housing insecurity for the area’s already socially and economically vulnerable people — many of whom face racism, colonialism and sexism.

This research helps us to better understand the housing needs of lower-income and other disadvantaged groups following housing damage or loss. It provides evidence-based policies to ensure the basic human right to housing for people displaced by climate change.

As Canada faces increasing frequency of floods, fires and severe storms, this knowledge is key to improving housing stability and climate-resiliency.

Project scope and expected outcomes

Consulting with people who have experienced housing damage and loss

The research team investigated the impacts of the 2018 and 2019 Wolastoq River floods. Through focus groups and one-on-one interviews, they discovered that housing damage and loss are devastating to all survivors. However, people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage were disproportionately impacted.

The research team also discovered that social policy failed to address socioeconomic disparities in the disaster relief offered to households. Households without access to funds to repair damage and plan for future floods faced challenges in re-securing their housing. This made the most vulnerable study participants housing insecure and homeless.

Deepening knowledge of climate change displacement

The research team will build on their earlier work to ensure greater national uptake of their policy recommendations. They will do this by:

• engaging with people with lived experience of housing loss and damage due to climate disasters. This will be done through 4 regional virtual focus groups in New Brunswick, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
• delivering an interactive virtual workshop and infographic of policy recommendations. These will be presented to national associations that provide disaster relief such as Red Cross and groups that inform housing policy, such as the Expert Community on Housing.
• developing and delivering a policy brief and summary report of recommendations. This will promote updated evidence-based solutions for responding to housing damage and loss. The team will create a policy brief and summary report for disaster mitigation, climate adaption and housing ministries in federal, provincial and territorial governments. They will advocate for national and regionally based policies that respond to housing loss and damage. The effectiveness of policy implementation will be evaluated through a feedback survey to policymakers following each meeting.

Indigenous knowledge — vital insights

The team will also expand the scope of their research to include Indigenous knowledge for managing climate disasters and housing damage and loss. Because of their historic connection to the Wolastoq, the 2018 and 2019 floods had significant impacts on Indigenous People. For example, through key informant interviews, the team learned that many Indigenous Persons used their knowledge of the land to avoid living in areas that are prone to flooding.

The team will explore ways to establish partnerships that value Indigenous knowledge on housing and climate change. The research team will complete these activities:

• a literature review of Indigenous policy consultation
• seek opportunities to share findings with Indigenous Elders
• seek input for partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and groups for housing and climate change research

Disproportionate impacts of housing damage and loss from climate disasters

Climate disasters often force people to relocate from their homes. This disproportionately impacts people and communities that are disadvantaged.

Disadvantaged groups are:

• more frequently exposed to climate threats
• more susceptible to damage caused by climate changes
• less able to cope and recover from damage

Residents who left their homes had limited access to funds for repairs of flood mitigation. They also experienced stress due to concern with the possibility of repeated disasters. These residents experienced:

• financial constraints
• housing instability or homelessness
• diminished well-being

The research found that lower-income people don’t have access to funds to wait for government reimbursements to cover differences between supports and building costs. This results in increased housing insecurity and financial vulnerability.

Disaster relief that leaves no one behind

Groups that are disproportionately impacted by climate disasters include:

• people living in poverty
• seniors
• newcomers
• women
• youth
• people living with physical or mental health concerns

Policies addressing housing loss and disrepair must include equitable supports to low-income households and other disadvantaged groups. These include:

• providing low-barrier access to households in need of repairs
• mitigation construction to avoid future damage following disasters

This research highlights the need for equitable and effective disaster relief and makes these recommendations:

• Promote equity in the uptake of disaster relief supports to ensure that individuals with access to less funds are not made homeless or housing insecure.
• Provide mental health care to people who are displaced from their homes and communities.
• Align with best practices to achieve adequate and stable housing.
• Support households to ensure that their human rights to housing and housing choice are respected.