House Resolution Links $100 Billion Annual Disaster Losses Directly to Climate Change, Warns of Rising Mortgage Costs

This resolution isn't a new law or a spending package; it’s a formal statement of findings from the House of Representatives. Essentially, Congress is officially recognizing and documenting the painful truth that many of us have already felt in our wallets: climate change is directly driving up the cost of home insurance, making housing less affordable.

The Numbers That Hit Hard

The resolution lays out some startling facts that put the scale of the problem into perspective. First, it notes that insured losses from natural disasters now top $100 billion annually. That’s a massive 1,000% increase from the $8.4 billion annual average back in 2000. Think about that jump: in just over two decades, the financial risk tied to weather has multiplied tenfold. For the average person, this translates directly into rising premiums because insurance companies aren't just eating those losses.

Insurance Premiums Outpacing Paychecks

The resolution highlights that from 2013 to 2022, insurance costs more than doubled, growing 40% faster than inflation. By 2022, the cost of insurance accounted for over 20% of the average mortgage payment. If you’re already stretching to cover your monthly housing costs, adding an expense that grows faster than almost everything else, including your salary, is a recipe for housing stress. The resolution projects another 8% increase in 2025, pushing the national average premium past $3,500 annually.

The Geography of Financial Risk

While this is a national problem, the resolution names the states where the pain is most acute. In 2024, annual premiums averaged over $14,000 in Florida and nearly $11,000 in Louisiana. States like Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado also saw averages well above $6,000. This isn't just about beachfront property anymore; it’s about severe weather events—tornadoes, hail, and wildfires—hitting inland areas, making homeownership financially prohibitive in large parts of the country. Since most lenders require insurance as a condition for a mortgage, this isn't an optional expense.

The Real-World Impact on Housing

By formally stating that climate change and the resulting increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters are driving these costs, the resolution establishes a clear cause-and-effect link. The main takeaway for busy people is simple: if we don't address the climate problem, the housing affordability crisis will only get worse. For a young family trying to buy their first home or a trade worker looking to relocate for a better job, these rising insurance costs function as a hidden, but very real, barrier to entry into the housing market. This resolution acts as a formal warning shot, using hard data to connect environmental policy directly to your ability to afford a roof over your head.