Housing

Household affordability continues to be a top priority for cities across the country. Tackling affordability will demand both accelerating housing supply and tackling the ongoing costs on utilities, insurance and transportation. These costs affect the long-term affordability of homes for families, and constrain new supply. As extreme weather increases in intensity and frequency across the U.S., and insurance and utility expenses demand a larger fraction of household costs, cities need innovative solutions to holistically address affordability, resiliency, and insurability to both increase new housing supply and preserve existing housing.

Housing and climate cannot be addressed separately—local leaders don’t have the luxury of working in silos. Mayors have identified housing and affordability as top priorities, and Climate Mayors approaches these challenges through the lens of household costs. Housing is only one part of a family’s budget; rising transportation, insurance, and energy costs increasingly shape affordability and resilience. Together, housing and transportation account for more than 50% of household expenses and 50% of emissions, highlighting the need for integrated solutions.

Climate-resilient housing solutions can lower costs while creating healthier, more connected communities. Smart growth strategies, including building near transit and existing infrastructure, can reduce transportation costs, lower emissions, and support affordable development. Cities can also strengthen resilience through energy-efficient retrofits, updated building codes, and investments that help homes withstand extreme weather while reducing utility costs.