The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced new measures to protect households from extreme heat, a growing concern due to the intensifying impacts of climate change. These actions are part of the Biden-Harris Administration's broader efforts to enhance community resilience against environmental hazards.
HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman emphasized the urgency of addressing extreme heat, stating, "Far too many Americans are being impacted by the harmful effects of extreme heat. The best practices we are sharing today advance the Biden-Harris Administration’s national heat strategy and will move us closer towards safer housing, particularly for seniors."
The department released its Extreme Heat “Playbook,” which offers communities best practices for building resilience, mitigating extreme heat impacts, and reducing cooling costs for public housing residents. This guide includes 16 strategies with examples and identifies funding sources from HUD and other federal agencies to help grantees plan for and address extreme heat events.
This initiative aligns with the National Heat Strategy introduced by the Biden-Harris Administration. The strategy aims to coordinate a comprehensive government approach to extreme heat from 2024 through 2030. It also supports other initiatives like the Extreme Heat Call to Action and the White House Climate Resilience Framework.
In addition to the playbook, HUD launched an updated Environmental Justice webpage. This site provides information on HUD’s efforts under the Justice40 Initiative, details on program partnerships, and resources related to environmental justice. The webpage highlights examples of HUD's work in expanding environmental justice across its programs.
HUD's commitment is clear: providing valuable resources that support community involvement in environmental safety and addressing risks associated with extreme heat.
