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

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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