Dear Readers,
Our nation is increasingly confronted with challenges related to climate change, racial injustice, and housing instability. Climate-related disasters, including severe wildfires, hurricanes, and floods, occur more frequently and intensely, with low-income renters bearing the largest brunt of these disasters. The ongoing crises highlight a fundamental truth: the climate crisis is also a housing crisis.
Low-income renters—especially people of color, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and other marginalized communities—continue to face disproportionate harm from the intersection of climate change and housing insecurity. These communities are often the first to be impacted and the last to recover from climate disasters, yet they are also at the forefront of the fight for equitable solutions. Their leadership in advocating for climate-resilient, affordable housing and fair disaster recovery is essential to building a more just and sustainable future for all.
Renters residing in historically underserved areas often find themselves in high-risk zones for disasters, face displacement during recovery, and lack access to critical resources for rebuilding. At the same time, soaring housing costs, decreasing federal support, and inadequate tenant protections exacerbate the challenges of recovery and preparation for future emergencies.
However, even amidst these escalating issues, tenants are taking the lead. From organizing for fair disaster recovery to advocating for climate-resilient, affordable housing, tenant leaders nationwide showcase the power of collective action in striving for a just future. This edition of Tenant Talk, Disaster Recovery and Housing: Navigating the Climate Crisis, shines a light on tenant voices and community-led initiatives addressing the climate crisis through mobilization and advocacy.
In this issue, you will find articles discussing racial inequalities in disaster response, long-term recovery hurdles in regions like Hawai’i and Puerto Rico, and the significance of tenant involvement in combating environmental injustice. You will also discover how affordable housing serves as a vital resource for climate resilience, as well as how innovative advocacy efforts, such as the documentary Razing Liberty Square, raise awareness about climate gentrification and displacement.
As always, Tenant Talk compiles stories from tenants, researchers, advocates, and those who have experienced housing insecurity firsthand. We hope this issue educates, empowers, and motivates you to remain active in the pursuit of housing and climate justice within your community.
Let's continue to organize, advocate, and take action – because when tenants lead, we all progress together.