Climate change poses an immediate threat to coastal communities, reshaping housing markets and exacerbating existing inequities. Sea level rise disproportionately affects marginalized populations who have long faced the brunt of environmental challenges. In the United States, discriminatory housing policies and environmental hazards already place low-income and minority communities at a higher risk for health issues such as asthma and cancer. As sea levels continue to rise, these communities face an additional challenge: displacement driven by climate-induced shifts in real estate markets—a phenomenon known as “climate gentrification.”

This Note examines climate gentrification with a focus on Miami-Dade County, a region struggling both with rising sea levels and housing insecurity. As flooding in beachfront areas has become increasingly common, flood-resistant neighborhoods have become increasingly desirable. An influx of developers and higher-income residents into those neighborhoods, many of which are home to low-income communities, has exacerbated housing insecurity for long-standing residents. Unfortunately, the situation unfolding in Miami will continue to unfold throughout the country as more communities begin to grapple with the impacts of climate change. The Note is structured in three parts: Part I explores the intersection of climate change and gentrification in metropolitan areas, using Miami as a case study. Part II reviews existing policies that aim to address sea level rise and housing insecurity. Part III proposes an integrated approach that aligns climate resilience and housing initiatives to better protect disadvantaged communities from displacement and to promote long-term sustainable housing. The Note underscores the need for policymakers to design strategies that mitigate the impacts of climate change, while safeguarding the housing stability of vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable outcomes in the face of rising sea levels.

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