Bearing the brunt of exposure: How the climate crisis affects houseless people

Houseless individuals lack shelter, infrastructure, and essential services, leaving them exposed to environmental hazards. A systemic cycle of violence, stigmatization, exclusion, and criminalization, pushes them even deeper into hazardous environments. Marginalized and often disregarded by society, they endure harsh weather and perilous surroundings (Nixon 2001). The concept of "exposure" emerges as a vital tool to the interconnected environmental and social justice challenges faced by houseless individuals (Goodling 2020). The bodies of these individuals are laid bare to the elements, mirroring their broader societal vulnerability and isolation. Their experiences serve as a stark warning to society, underscoring the significance of human vulnerability in extreme weather conditions.