The climate change–homelessness nexus

Climate change affects human health and wellbeing 1 with differential impacts on populations and regions. For example, climate change disproportionally affects girls and women and can amplify conflict and violence in resource-deprived environments. 2 The way climate change exacerbates economic and social disparities underscores the role of migration in response to climate pressures. 3 Movement or staying in place, whether forced or voluntary, have important immediate and downstream implications for the growing numbers of people affected. Although the mechanisms through which climate impacts human health are becoming better understood, substantial knowledge gaps remain. One such gap is the role of shelter. Housing and shelter are pivotal in considering the physical and mental health impacts of climate change for individuals without shelter or who live in temporary and unfit housing.