Persons Experiencing Homelessness during Extreme Temperatures: Lessons for Promoting Socially Inclusive Adaptive...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Urban Planning
• Social Science

Background:

• Climate change and extreme temperatures pose significant risks to vulnerable populations.
• Persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) are disproportionately affected by heatwaves.
• Current urban infrastructure and disaster planning often exclude homeless populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of PEH coping with extreme temperatures.
• To understand how the built environment impacts their adaptive capacity.
• To identify needs for inclusive urban infrastructure and support systems.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 42 persons experiencing homelessness.
• Phenomenological methods to capture firsthand experiences during summer 2022-2023.
• Study conducted in a mid-size city in the Southeastern United States.

Main Results:

• Social exclusion within the urban environment limits adaptive capacity and increases risks.
• Scarcity and policing of resources, along with restricted mobility, exacerbate heat exposure.
• Public transit offered temporary relief, highlighting its role in extreme temperature events.

Conclusions:

• Inclusive green urban infrastructure (shade, water, daytime shelters, lockers) is essential.
• De-stigmatizing homelessness and increasing housing and income support are vital.
• Addressing these factors enhances community-wide adaptive capacity in a warming climate.