AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT RISK: Threats from Coastal Floods and Sea Level Rise

The document reports that Massachusetts has the 3rd most vulnerable affordable housing stock in the United States regarding future coastal flooding. By 2050, 4,818 units (2% of the state's stock) could be exposed to coastal flooding. Boston is identified as particularly at risk, with expected annual exposure increasing from 609 units currently to 3,042 units by 2050, a 400% increase. Other high-risk cities in the state include Quincy, Cambridge, and Revere, all of which rank among the top 20 cities nationwide for affordable housing units at risk.

• Massachusetts's affordable housing stock is ranked as the 3rd most vulnerable in the United States for future coastal flooding risk. Currently, 1,530 units (0.6% of the stock) are threatened, and by 2050, this is projected to rise to 4,818 units, representing 2% of the state's affordable housing stock.
• Four Massachusetts cities are ranked among the top 20 in the U.S. for affordable housing units at risk in 2050: Boston (ranked 3rd), Quincy (6th), Cambridge (8th), and Revere (15th). Boston is expected to see a 400% increase in exposed units, rising from 609 currently to 3,042 by 2050.
• Affordable housing is more susceptible to flooding than other housing types because it is typically older, of lower quality, and lacks resilience features such as flood-proofing, backflow prevention valves, or off-grid energy.
• Nationally, there is a significant shortage of affordable housing, with a shortfall of over 7 million units, meaning only 35 affordable rental units are available for every 100 extremely low-income renters across the 50 largest metropolitan areas.

APA

Climate Central (2021). AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT RISK: Threats from Coastal Floods and Sea Level Rise. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/5im0vnzN1n9WSWNNJ7XekQ/c08ead2d4a5a1b1e8316a9ee984089e4/AH_State_Factsheet_MA.pdf

Chicago

Climate Central. AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT RISK: Threats from Coastal Floods and Sea Level Rise. 2021. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/5im0vnzN1n9WSWNNJ7XekQ/c08ead2d4a5a1b1e8316a9ee984089e4/AH_State_Factsheet_MA.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT RISK: Threats from Coastal Floods and Sea Level Rise |date=2021 |url=https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/5im0vnzN1n9WSWNNJ7XekQ/c08ead2d4a5a1b1e8316a9ee984089e4/AH_State_Factsheet_MA.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentral2021affordable, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT RISK: Threats from Coastal Floods and Sea Level Rise}}, institution = {Climate Central}, year = {2021}, url = {https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/5im0vnzN1n9WSWNNJ7XekQ/c08ead2d4a5a1b1e8316a9ee984089e4/AH_State_Factsheet_MA.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }