Extreme heat, poor housing quality, and the heat island effect make it harder for many households to afford energy bills.

According to a brief by Ysabelle Kempe in Smart Cities Dive, “A Brookings Metro report published Sept. 6 highlights that Black renters disproportionately experience energy insecurity, which stems from an inability to pay energy bills.” The findings reveal how climate change amplifies insecurities, pushing low-income renters already struggling to afford bills over the edge.
“The researchers’ analysis of 2020 data found that 59% of Black renters faced energy insecurity compared with 36% of White renters,” Kempe adds. “Furthermore, neighborhoods with more Black residents often face more intense heat island effects than other areas.”
The disparity extends to homeowners: “The report also found that 44% of Black homeowners faced energy insecurity in 2020, compared with 18% of White homeowners.”
According to Brookings Metro senior research associate Manann Donoghoe, “the first step cities can take involves considering how the history of racially biased policies has shaped where people live and their housing quality. Once local governments reckon with that knowledge, they should consider and implement policies that address the gaps for vulnerable neighborhoods, which will start with targeting, in many cases, Black-majority or minority-majority neighborhoods, he said.”
FULL STORY: Extreme heat disproportionately threatens Black renters, experts say

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Opinion: Transit Agencies Must View Service Cuts as Last Resort
Reducing service could cripple transit systems by pushing more riders to consider car ownership, making future recovery even less certain.

‘Smart Surfaces’ Policy Guide Offers Advice for Building and Maintaining Urban Tree Canopies
Healthy, robust tree canopies can reduce the impacts of extreme heat and improve air quality.

New Jersey Lawsuit Targets Rent-Setting Algorithms
The state of New Jersey is taking legal action against landlords and companies that engage in what the state’s Attorney General alleges is illegal rent fixing.
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