HSV Index Page

The HSV Index

The HSV Index brings together key aspects of housing adequacy to show how climate change affects both homes and the people who live in them. It focuses on two core foundations of adequate housing—habitability and affordability—and how these are shaped by both acute climate events, such as floods or bushfires, and chronic stresses, such as extreme heat. These relationships are captured through four connected dimensions of the housing system: Safe, Secure, Healthy and Sustainable housing.

The 4 dimensions of the Index

Safe

What does it measure?

Assess preparedness for climate-related events by examining the pre-event conditions, focusing on both the physical characteristics of dwellings and the household's capacity to implement protective measures.

Secure

What does it measure?

Evaluates the financial resilience of households when facing acute climate events, including insurance coverage, savings buffers, and the affordability of recovery and rebuilding after disasters.

Healthy

What does it measure?

Examines the impact of chronic climate stresses on the habitability of homes, including thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and the ability of dwellings to protect occupants from sustained heat, humidity, and poor air conditions.

Sustainable

What does it measure?

Assesses the long-term financial sustainability of housing under chronic climate stress, including rising energy costs, increasing insurance premiums, and the ongoing affordability of maintaining adequate living conditions.