Each year, just when it seems things can’t possibly get worse—they do. We continue to shatter heat records, while hurricanes grow stronger, floods become more frequent, and wildfires rage with increasing intensity. The list of extreme weather events only grows longer.
At the time of writing, there were 108 active large fires burning across the American West, with roughly 17,000 wildland firefighters on the front lines, working around the clock to contain the blazes. Mandatory evacuations were underway in several areas, and countless families had already been forced from their homes.
In the face of mounting climate-based devastation, younger individuals are concerned about climate change impacting the value of their homes, and they’re considering moving due to climate change.
According to COGNITION Smart Data, while only 34% of Boomers have considered moving because of climate events, that number jumps 61% of Gen Zs. Additionally, 42% of Boomers are concerned about climate change impacting the value of their home, compared to 62% of Gen Zs.
Perhaps most telling, 16% of Boomers report that climate events have impacted their ability to get insurance, but that number spikes to 77% of Gen Zs, due, in part, to rising costs as well as limited availability of insurance policies in the secondary and tertiary markets that younger generations are moving to (driven by affordability.)
As we confront the growing reality of climate-driven migration, there are proactive steps we can take to strengthen both new and existing homes—fortifying communities against escalating risks.
The solution lies in resilient housing. By upgrading homes with systems that minimize vulnerability and enhance performance, we can better safeguard lives, protect investments, and prepare for an increasingly uncertain future.
These strategies include impact-resistant windows and reinforced roofing to defend against extreme weather, advanced air sealing and insulation to maintain indoor comfort during temperature swings, and backup power systems such as solar panels with battery storage to keep essential services like refrigeration, heating, and cooling running during outages.
Reinforced foundations and structural bracing help to increase resistance to high winds or seismic events, while thoughtful site design and landscaping can help slow wildfire spread or manage stormwater runoff.
These upgrades not only help safeguard homes, they also offer long-term benefits for homeowners by preventing costly damage, improving energy performance and indoor air quality, supporting self-sufficiency during disasters, and protecting a home’s value over time.
While these strategies offer clear benefits, the question remains: are homeowners truly interested in resilient housing? Many are, and according to COGNITION Smart Data, homeowners are already beginning to upgrade their homes with resilience in mind.
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About COGNITION Smart Data
COGNITION is the only market insights platform specifically engineered for the building industry’s sustainability transformation. We track evolving consumer behaviors, emerging technologies, policy shifts, competitive benchmarks, and market demand signals so you can adjust faster, sell smarter, and grow revenue—confidently.