Australia's housing crisis is set to worsen under a fossil-fuelled future, with climate change exacerbating affordability issues and pushing up rents, according to new research. The University of Sydney study, published in the journal Cities, warns that vulnerable households will be the hardest hit, with homelessness quadrupling by 2036 if no fairer housing policies are implemented. The findings highlight the urgent need for climate change to be integrated into housing policy discussions, as it disproportionately affects renters and those experiencing homelessness. Associate Professor Nader Naderpajouh emphasizes the unequal impact of global heating on housing, stating that climate change widens the gap between different socioeconomic groups. He argues that a one-size-fits-all approach to housing policies is insufficient, advocating for targeted support for low-income renters and measures to address homelessness. The federal budget's investment in social housing for young people is seen as a step in the right direction, but the study's lead author, Peyman Habibi-Moshfegh, calls for a drastic increase in social housing initiatives. Economist Nicki Hutley agrees, urging the government to prioritize climate change considerations in housing policy, including emissions reduction and resilience measures. The national climate risk assessment reveals alarming risks to residential housing, with 10% of properties in very high-risk areas by 2030. This underscores the need for fairer housing policies that account for climate change, as the current trajectory threatens to deepen social inequities.
