Affordable Housing Among Most Vulnerable to Flooding
A new study and illustrative mapping tool from nonprofit Climate Central shows that affordable housing in Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York is among the most vulnerable to flooding. Researchers say that this is the first study to overlay affordable housing data with sea level rise and flood risk data. Researchers suggest that the socioeconomic vulnerability of low-income renters and the poor quality of many affordable housing units present a significant burden to individuals seeking affordable housing. The incidence of an increased likelihood of flooding in these units adds an additional layer of strain and disadvantage for low-income renters. The study also estimated that the number of affordable units exposed to flooding are expected to triple by 2050.