Data: In Rural America, Mobile Homes are Heat Traps

A new report from Headwaters Economics warns of the dangers of extreme heat to rural residents, writes Sarah Melotte in The Daily Yonder.

Although extreme heat is often framed as an urban problem exacerbated by pavement and tall buildings, rural areas suffer from different challenges when heat waves strike.

“Compared to urban dwellers, rural Americans are twice as likely to have pre-existing health issues like diabetes that exacerbate the dangers of extreme heat, according to the Headwaters Economics report. And when rural Americans do face heat-related illnesses, they are also more likely to be uninsured and acquire medical debt in the process.” Rural workers are also more likely to work in high-exposure industries such as agriculture or construction.

Meanwhile, the prevalence of manufactured housing in rural areas means rural residents spend more on heating and cooling more inefficient dwellings. “Rural residents in manufactured and mobile homes spend 75% more on energy bills compared to their urban counterparts.”

Headwaters Economics offers policy solutions that can help protect rural residents, particularly those living in manufactured homes. from extreme heat. “Existing federal programs – such as the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – support families by improving energy efficiency and providing financial assistance for cooling costs.”