Housing and Climate Resource Library

Housing Resources

This page is about housing type, occupancy, and burden. Looking at the kinds of housing and housing burdens in a community may indicate where and how communities are additionally vulnerable in the event of extreme weather or other climate impacts.

Relevant variables for this topic include crowding, housing cost burden, multi-unit structures, mobile homes, group, quarters, household crowding, fire and hazard insurance, and water quality and quantity.

Datasets

American Community Survey
The American Community Survey (ACS) is administered by the U.S. Census Bureau and provides yearly data on jobs and occupations, veterans, homeownership, renters, and other community topics in the United States. This survey provides 1- and 5-year estimates.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Social Vulnerability Index (CDC/ATSDR SVI)
The CDC/ATSDR SVI uses 16 census variables to determine a community’s social vulnerability. The database helps emergency response planners and public health officials identify, map, and plan for communities that may need support before, during, or after a public health emergency. The dataset identifies the characteristics and estimated number of homes that are vulnerable to public health emergencies.

Multidimensional Housing and Environmental Quality Index 
The Multidimensional Housing and Environmental Quality Index (HEQI) is a one-time research study that was developed based on the World Health Organization’s Housing and Health Guidelines and used the 2019 American Housing Survey (AHS) data. The study provides information on residential environment exposure that can be used to inform strategies to address climate change. HEQI included multiple dimensions of healthy housing with the use of 10 domains: fuel combustion, dampness and mold, pests and allergens, lead paint, high indoor temperatures, low indoor temperatures, crowding, injury hazards, inadequate water and sanitation, and ventilation. The final version of the HEQI included 43 AHS variables across the 10 domains. Dampness and mold, low indoor temperatures, household crowding, and inadequate water and sanitation were the four most documented domains.

 

Latest page update: April 22, 2024.