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Heat, Humidity, Flooding, Crime: Houston is Riskiest City in the U.S. for Homeownership, Study Says

Summary

In a report published by the Houston Chronicle on February 13, 2024, staff writer Erica Grieder discusses a study by consumer advocacy group ClaimGuide.org, naming Houston as the riskiest city in the U.S. for homeownership. The analysis evaluated 170 cities based on factors such as property crime rates, emergency services accessibility, average home age, and vacant home percentage. Houston's vulnerability to extreme heat, flooding, and other natural disasters propelled it to the top spot. According to the study, 98% of homes in Houston face extreme heat risk, nearly two-thirds are at risk of flooding in the next 30 years, and 9.2% of homes are vacant. The report also highlights the rising homeowners' insurance premiums in the Houston area due to increased weather-related risks, a trend expected to persist. The study's top 10 riskiest cities were largely characterized by vulnerability to climate change and extreme weather events.

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