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

The document highlights that Virginia's affordable housing stock is the 4th most vulnerable in the United States to future coastal flooding. By 2050, 1,473 units in Virginia are projected to be at risk, representing a 273% increase from current levels. Norfolk and Portsmouth are specifically identified as high-risk cities, with Norfolk ranking 5th and Portsmouth 17th nationwide for the percentage of affordable housing supply exposed in 2050.

• Virginia's affordable housing stock is ranked as the 4th most vulnerable in the United States regarding units at risk of future coastal flooding. Currently, 395 units (0.2% of the state's stock) are threatened, which is the 5th highest number in the nation.
• Under a high-carbon emissions scenario, 1,473 affordable housing units in Virginia are projected to be at risk of coastal flooding by 2050, which is 0.8% of the state's stock and a 273% increase over current risk levels.
• Norfolk and Portsmouth are among the top 20 cities nationwide for affordable housing units at risk in 2050. Norfolk is ranked 5th, with 710 units expected to be at risk (a 523% increase from 114 units currently exposed). Portsmouth is ranked 17th, with 220 units expected to be at risk (a 610% increase from 31 units currently exposed).
• Affordable housing is more susceptible to flooding than other housing because it is typically older, of lower quality, and lacks resilience features such as flood-proofing, backflow prevention valves, or off-grid energy.

APA

Climate Central (2021). AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT RISK: Threats from Coastal Floods and Sea Level Rise. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/6uZyxpkFRs78tVc9920W8b/fbbd3358236f57320e446b970ae31ba4/AH_State_Factsheet_VA.pdf

Chicago

Climate Central. AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT RISK: Threats from Coastal Floods and Sea Level Rise. 2021. https://assets.ctfassets.net/cxgxgstp8r5d/6uZyxpkFRs78tVc9920W8b/fbbd3358236f57320e446b970ae31ba4/AH_State_Factsheet_VA.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/6uZyxpkFRs78tVc9920W8b/fbbd3358236f57320e446b970ae31ba4/AH_State_Factsheet_VA.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/6uZyxpkFRs78tVc9920W8b/fbbd3358236f57320e446b970ae31ba4/AH_State_Factsheet_VA.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }