Community housing and insurance in a changing climate

Climate change is causing more extreme weather events like wildfires, heavy rain and droughts. These events are leading to significant losses, which are creating challenges in the insurance industry. These challenges affect the sustainability, affordability and quality of non-market housing in Canada.

This project aims to better understand how climate change impacts the insurance industry and, in turn, community housing providers and affordable housing. The findings will help develop recommendations for innovative business practices and policies that housing providers across Canada can use to reduce these impacts.

Project scope and expected outcomes

Understanding the effects of climate change on housing

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events such as wildfires, heavy rain and drought. These events are driving up insurance costs and creating challenges for community housing providers. Without action, these challenges could threaten the sustainability and affordability of non-market housing in Canada. Innovative business practices and policies are needed to counter the impact on the community housing sector.

This planning project will define the scope, partnerships and foundational knowledge needed to address how climate-driven insurance challenges are affecting housing in Canada. It will examine the feasibility of adaptive business practices and policies that keep those most vulnerable in mind to mitigate the impacts of climate-influenced insurance losses.

Project stages

This planning project will be conducted in 4 stages:

• Phase 1: Literature review, policy analysis and comparative analysis.
• Phase 2: Stakeholder mapping and engagement, facilitated roundtable sessions, and developing and validating a framework for the following planning phases.
• Phase 3: Preliminary data gathering, including developing and distributing a stakeholder survey and exploratory interviews.
• Phase 4: Planning future knowledge mobilization, including potential activities and defining roles for partner organizations.

Setting the stage for future action

The planning phase will create tools like surveys and interview guides to streamline future research. Partnerships established during this phase will also provide a strong foundation for interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder research efforts.

Insights from stakeholder engagement and literature and policy reviews will refine the focus of future research activities. A comprehensive plan for sharing findings will ensure collaboration and drive long-term impact across the community housing sector.