Renters Face the Fierce Fallout of Climate Crisis More Than Others

Extreme weather is making tough harder for all of us – but you may not realise who it’s hitting the hardest. Here are the details.

Renting in America

Renting a home in America is a challenge as it is – what with the cost of living crisis, various rental crises across the nation, and inflation all hitting us hard. But it’s getting even tougher – especially if you’re one of the millions of renters caught in the crossfire of hurricanes, wildfires, or unbearable heat waves.

When Mother Nature Becomes Your Landlord’s Worst Enemy

If you thought finding a decent place to live was hard before, just wait until nature decides to upend your life without the safety nets that homeowners take for granted.

The Climate Crisis

Let’s be real: when disaster strikes, it’s renters who get the short end of the stick. Last year alone, a massive 2.5 million people in the U.S. were forced out of their homes because of climate-related disasters.

From Paradise to Purgatory

Remember the wildfires on Maui Island, cyclones in Florida, and various floods across eastern America?

Homeowners vs. Renters

While homeowners certainly face their share of challenges following extreme weather, at least they can rely on insurance payouts or government programs to help them rebuild. Renters, however, are left scrambling.

Adding Insult to Injury

If they’re lucky enough to stay put, they still face landlords who might not care about fixing up their place after a flood or even providing basic necessities like air conditioning during a heatwave.

The Long Road Home

Data shows that after a disaster, renters are displaced for longer periods and struggle more to find stability again. Why?

When Hurricanes Hit, Rent Prices Soar

Take what happens after a hurricane. It’s nothing short of a nightmare – rent prices skyrocket as landlords look to recover their losses or just take advantage of the chaos. Good luck trying to renew your lease when the cost has doubled overnight.

Katrina and Ian

Just ask the survivors of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Ian. In the chaotic weeks and months after these storms, rent prices surged. It made it nearly impossible for many homeless tenants to afford their old homes once repairs were completed.

Disaster-Driven Rent Hikes

Studies show that these rent hikes are becoming the norm, leaving renters with no choice but to pack up and move – if they can even find a new place.

Federal Aid

What makes things worse is that renters don’t get nearly the same support that homeowners do. When disaster strikes, federal aid programs like FEMA are typically geared toward helping homeowners, not renters.

A False Security Blanket

And if you’re thinking renters’ insurance has their back, think again. Renters’ insurance barely covers the basics, and after a disaster, tenants are often left to pay out of pocket for damages that aren’t even their fault. Renters often find themselves with little to no compensation for their lost possessions or damaged homes.

Cashing In on Catastrophe

Meanwhile, landlords often just sit back, collect what insurance will cover, and raise rents.

Silent Killer

While hurricanes and wildfires grab headlines, heat waves pose a silent but deadly threat, especially to renters. When the temperature soars, having air conditioning isn’t just about comfort – it becomes about survival.

A Matter of Life and Death

Despite this, millions of renters are stuck in sweaty apartments with no relief in sight because landlords in many states aren’t required to provide AC.

The Fight for Mandatory AC

Only a few cities, like Phoenix and Dallas, have laws requiring landlords to ensure their units have functioning air conditioning during extreme heat. A lot of cities have tried to pass similar laws only to have them shot down – mostly after landlords pushed back.

Low-Income Renters in the Crosshairs

The American people hit hardest by this aren’t wealthy. They’re the low-income renters – many of whom are people of color. These are the people that are already struggling.

The Battle for Basic Rights

Housing advocates are calling for new laws that would require landlords to provide basic things like air conditioning during extreme heat or at least make disaster recovery more equal for renters.

The Cost of Comfort

But landlords aren’t too keen on the idea – the cost of retrofitting old buildings is high, not to mention the increased utility bills. Meanwhile, renters are being left to sweat it out.

Climate Change and Renters

Whether it’s dealing with the fallout from a hurricane, a wildfire, or a brutal heat wave, renters just don’t have the same safety nets as homeowners.

Advocates Call for Stronger Protections

While climate change is making life more dangerous for everyone, renters are the ones who keep getting left behind.  Without stronger protections, they’ll continue to bear the brunt of the damage.

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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Bilanol.

The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.