The Housing Spectrum, Temperature Extremes and the Costs of Thermal Safety and Comfort: A Community-Informed Policy Evaluation of Weatherization and Energy Assistance Programs

Awarded Project Overview

April 2022

About the Project:

This project brings together university researchers, community leaders, and policy experts to better understand how Seattle-area residents manage extreme temperatures. By combining academic research with lived experience, the project team will evaluate the effectiveness of weatherization and energy assistance programs. The goal is to identify what’s working, what’s not, and what new solutions can ensure people have safe and comfortable living conditions as climate change drives more frequent heatwaves and cold spells.

Research Focus

The project will explore how people in low-income and temporary housing — including those living in RVs, tents, or shelters — navigate the challenges of maintaining thermal safety. Specifically, the research will address:

How extreme temperatures affect marginalized communities.
Gaps in the reach and effectiveness of current energy assistance and weatherization programs.
The barriers that prevent eligible residents from accessing support.
Additional unmet needs that remain even when assistance is provided.
Potential unintended consequences of energy transition policies, like displacement due to rising housing costs.

Why It Matters

Extreme heat and cold can pose life-threatening risks, especially for people without reliable access to safe housing. While policymakers are advancing climate adaptation strategies, these efforts often don’t adequately support those facing the greatest risks. By focusing on the experiences of marginalized communities, this project will offer actionable insights that support a more just and equitable climate response. The findings will also inform policies that prioritize those most vulnerable to the impacts of extreme weather.

Activities

The project team will use a three-part approach to gather and analyze information:

Policy Analysis: Researchers will examine local, state, and federal programs to determine their intended goals and actual reach. By analyzing public data and interviewing policymakers and service providers, they will identify gaps in program access and impact.
Community-Based Peer Learning: Through surveys, interviews, and focus groups, community members will share their experiences managing extreme temperatures. This collaborative process will surface insights into what strategies are currently used and what additional support is needed.
Co-Design Workshops: Using the findings from the first two phases, community members, researchers, and policymakers will come together to design potential solutions. These might include improved program delivery models, new policy recommendations, or resources tailored to those in non-traditional housing.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the project, the team will deliver:

Clear recommendations for improving the reach and effectiveness of weatherization and energy assistance programs.
Actionable insights to support policymakers, including the Seattle Green New Deal Oversight Board, in developing equitable climate adaptation strategies.
Public-facing resources that help communities better understand and access available support.
Academic contributions to climate justice research that highlight the intersection of energy policy and housing insecurity.

Dissemination of Findings

The project’s findings will be shared through multiple channels to ensure they reach both policymakers and the public. This will include:

Reports and presentations for local and state agencies.
Policy briefs and recommendations for utilities and energy assistance providers.
Community workshops and accessible materials for residents seeking support.
Academic papers and conference presentations to contribute to broader climate justice conversations.

Research Team

Principal Investigator: Samuel Kay, College of Arts and Sciences, Geography, University of Washington
Community Lead: Debolina Banerjee, Puget Sound Sage
Students: Ellie Cleasby, PhD Student, Department of Geography; Samantha Thompson, PhD Student, Department of Geography

University of Washington Partners:
Jessica Kaminsky, Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Community Partners:
Howard Greenwich, Research Director, Puget Sound Sage
Vivek Shandas, Professor of Geography, Professor of Urban Studies & Planning, Portland State University
FIRELANDS Workers United