Extreme weather is already affecting homes and lives

For housing providers like L&Q, working in high-density areas such as London and Manchester, this reality hits close to home.

Storms and floods bring costly repairs and lasting effects on residents’ health and well-being. Restoring a water-damaged home can cost up to £33,600, and it may take months before residents can return. Insurance often covers only part of the expense and rarely includes temporary accommodation.

The human cost is greater still. The stress, upheaval and uncertainty faced by displaced families is profound. People are deeply connected to their homes. These are the places where children grow, memories form and a sense of safety takes root.

As social landlords, we must close the gap between what we know and what we don’t. That means identifying threats and planning ahead, before the next flood hits.

“As social landlords, we must close the gap between what we know and what we don’t. That means identifying threats and planning ahead, before the next flood hits”

L&Q has recognised climate change as a strategic risk. As highlighted in our new sustainability report, we’re actively monitoring our response through our audit and risk committee. We’re also developing tools to better understand vulnerabilities across our homes.

One example is our geographic information system (GIS)-based flood risk mapping system. By layering housing data, historic repair records and external flood information, we’re building a clearer picture of our homes and the risks they face.

While still in its early stages, this has the potential to improve predictions and inform our investment decisions. This, in turn, will help us manage assets and use resources more efficiently.

While adapting to these impacts is essential, we must also stay focused on the root causes of climate change. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use and construction continue to drive global warming. Without efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the frequency and severity of extreme weather will only increase. Mitigation and adaptation must go hand in hand.

Flooding was our starting point, given the threat it presents in our core areas. As a climate-related hazard, it’s also easier to model thanks to the availability of open-source data.

But rising temperatures bring challenges of their own. More frequent heatwaves are placing strain on homes and the people living in them and must also be factored into planning. In 2022, we carried out a climate risk review with JLL, examining hazards from surface water, coastal and river flooding to overheating and subsidence, along with knock-on impacts like supply chain disruption.

“Green space increases drainage and supports habitats, boosting both wildlife and community well-being”

If numbers tell one side of the story, lived experience tells the other. At L&Q, we’re pairing desktop analysis with on-the-ground insight from those who know residents and their homes well: our housing teams. Frontline officers can share intelligence that models might miss, helping to uncover hidden patterns and priorities.

Flood risk also connects to broader issues like the natural environment and urban design. As with many complex challenges, the best solutions come from tackling these together.

In particular, green space increases drainage and supports habitats, boosting both wildlife and community well-being. Our long-term aim is to bring together climate risk, biodiversity and social data into one framework that helps guide decisions on how we manage and adapt homes. 

For urban landlords, surface water is the most pressing threat. Nature-based solutions such as tree planting, permeable surfaces and green spaces can work alongside engineered systems like sustainable drainage and water harvesting. Even small steps, like regular maintenance of gutters and drainpipes, flow from careful planning and a clear understanding of risk.

Progress also depends on working with partners who share our goals. Many local authorities are already reviewing the strength of existing flood defences and planning upgrades. Stronger partnerships between landlords, councils and other service providers will ensure co-ordinated action and better-informed decisions. This aligns with the National Housing Federation’s work on flood resilience, helping build preparedness across the sector.

As the world warms, flooding will not be an exceptional event. The World Economic Forum ranks the failure to prepare for climate-related shifts among the greatest global risks. In the UK, average rainfall could rise by 10% by the end of the century. Heatwaves are expected to become more frequent, and heavy rain falling on dried-out ground raises the risk of flash flooding. 

In a sector already under financial and operational strain, finding room to plan and prepare isn’t easy. It’s natural to focus on immediate needs, but with climate change, the most effective action happens earlier. For that, we need good data.

We must act now to ensure the homes we manage are fit for the future. With the right interventions, future generations can grow up in homes that are safe, comfortable and built to last.

Liz Blackwell, head of sustainability, L&Q