Floods expose vulnerabilities in homeless communities forced to marginal areas

In Ontario, California, severe floods in November 2022 claimed three lives and highlighted the dangers facing unhoused people living in flood-prone areas due to lack of safer shelter options.

Erin Rode reports for High Country News.

In short:

Unhoused people in Ontario live in flood control channels, risking exposure to deadly floods as seen in the November 2022 incident where three individuals died.
Climate change is exacerbating extreme weather, pushing homeless communities into increasingly dangerous locations due to inadequate housing policies.
Advocates stress the need for better integration of homeless populations into disaster planning to prevent similar tragedies.

Key quote:

“Cities and states have made it virtually impossible to stay in safer locations. And the outcome is people experiencing homelessness are at an even greater risk for extreme weather events.”

— Jesse Rabinowitz, communications director for the National Homelessness Law Center

Why this matters:

With the intersection of homelessness and climate crises, people without shelter are increasingly at risk of fatal weather events. Improved housing and emergency planning are critical to safeguard these vulnerable populations.

www.hcn.org

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