On top of lower mortgage approvals and biased appraisals, Black Americans have another hurdle to fight: environmental racism and expenses like higher insurance premiums linked to the climate crisis. Black-owned homes are often in areas with higher heat exposure and low-lying areas prone to flooding, but those in safe areas are now being targeted by developers for displacement. Instead of taking the sun or predatory developers in stride, Black property owners can strengthen home structures against worsening weather, shop around for better insurance coverage and necessary add-ons like flood insurance, and check local programs for energy upgrades.
The Brookings Institution cited a study that found 94% of formerly redlined areas were hotter than non-redlined areas within the same county. The situation is exacerbated by poor development in these areas, from a lack of trees to frequent placement near polluting businesses.
Why Are Black Homeowners So Heavily Impacted by Global Climate Change?
Unequal risk and unequal recovery make Black homeowners more vulnerable to being in a literal “hot zone” regarding weather impact and being the last priority for help afterwards. Decades of redlining have put Black neighborhoods in underinvested and less desirable areas, so many homeowners are in former industrial zones and floodplains.
The numbers from a Zillow analysis show that 81% of Black homeowners are at major risk for natural disasters like extreme heat, and 60% are vulnerable to extreme wind, more than any other group in both instances. Many Black homeowners in safer inland areas in Florida now find their neighborhoods changing as wealthier white developers move in and usher Black residents further down to the more dangerous coastline.
For Black Americans, property ownership in areas prone to environmental disaster damage and less likelihood of recovery aid also affects the ability to build and maintain generational wealth; homes are usually the biggest source. Plus, ongoing environmental redlining isn’t helping an already wide wealth disparity based on race.
Source: The Climate Crisis Is Devastating Homes and Crushing Black Homeownership
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