A new study* published in Nature Cities reveals a troubling connection between the lack of affordable housing and declining access to clean running water for millions of Americans, a growing water insecurity, especially for people of color.
Researchers from King’s College London, the University of Arizona, and ECONorthwest examined the alarming rise of “plumbing poverty”—households lacking running water—in U.S. cities since the 1990s, particularly after the 2008 financial crisis.
The housing crisis in the United States is no longer just affordability and homelessness. A new and alarming trend reveals a disturbing connection between the lack of affordable housing and a decline in access to clean running water for many Americans, especially people of color.
The “plumbing poverty,” as researchers call it, is increasingly concentrated in major urban centers across the country, challenging the notion of what constitutes a livable city in the 21st century.
Shift from rural to urban water poverty
For much of the 20th century, the narrative of water insecurity in America was primarily rural. However, a stark shift occurred in the 1990s, which researchers call “the urban pivot.” Beginning in 1990, the percentage of households lacking running water rose sharply in urban areas. It coincided with a period of rapid expansion in the housing market, fueled by readily available mortgages and a surge in housing prices. As cities expanded, affordable options dwindled, leaving low-income residents, particularly those of color, increasingly vulnerable.
The situation worsened dramatically following the 2008 financial crisis. This period, marked by foreclosures, evictions, and the emergence of corporate landlords, further destabilized the housing market. As housing costs surged, more households were forced into precarious living situations, including those without access to running water.
Racialized impact of plumbing poverty
While the overall number of households lacking running water has declined nationally since the 1970s, the picture is far more complex within individual cities. While major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago saw significant decreases in plumbing poverty, a disturbing trend emerged: water access improvements primarily focused on white households.
People of color are now disproportionately represented among those lacking running water in 12 of the 15 largest U.S. cities.
“Alarmingly, our evidence shows that conditions of ‘plumbing poverty’—a lack of household access to running water10—have concentrated in cities since the 1990s and expanded to more U.S. cities since the 2008 crisis, especially for households of color,” say the researchers.
The research shows that in cities like Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Houston, people of color make up most of those living without running water. This reality points to a disturbing fact: even in cities experiencing economic growth and progressive policies, the benefits of improved water access fail to reach communities of color.
Portland and the “reproductive squeeze”
Portland, Oregon, a city often lauded for its sustainable urban planning and progressive policies, provides a stark example of what researchers term the “reproductive squeeze.“ This refers to the systemic pressures that make it increasingly difficult for households, particularly low-income ones, to meet their basic needs and maintain a decent standard of living.
Despite a reputation for sustainability, Portland experienced the most dramatic increase in plumbing poverty among major U.S. cities. Between 2000 and 2021, the number of households in Portland without running water increased by a staggering 56.3 percent despite rapid economic and population growth. This alarming trend underscores how rising housing costs, stagnant wages, and a lack of affordable options can drive even those in seemingly prosperous cities into dire straits.
The situation of growing water insecurity in Portland is further exacerbated by the fact that gains in the housing market, primarily driven by corporate investors, have come at the expense of low-income residents, particularly people of color.
As housing costs skyrocketed, many were forced to leave the city, while those who remained struggled to make ends meet, often in substandard housing without running water.
This trend is not unique to Portland, as the expansion of the reproductive squeeze to diverse urban areas across the country, including those traditionally considered “coastal elites” and those grappling with the legacy of deindustrialization.
Erosion of basic rights
The confluence of the housing crisis and declining water access raises serious concerns about the erosion of fundamental rights in American cities. Access to clean water and sanitation are not mere amenities but basic human rights, essential for health, dignity, and well-being. The findings of this research paint a stark picture: for a growing number of Americans, particularly those of color, the ability to secure these necessities is becoming increasingly precarious.
Policymakers and urban planners must address the interconnected nature of the housing and water crises. Temporary measures, such as moratoriums on water shutoffs, have proven insufficient in the face of systemic issues. Bold action is needed, including investments in genuinely affordable housing, stronger tenant protections, and policies that center the needs of low-income communities. Failing to address these issues risks exacerbating existing inequalities and undermining the foundation of a just and equitable society.
* Meehan, K., Jurjevich, J.R., Everitt, L. et al. Urban inequality, the housing crisis and deteriorating water access in US cities. Nat Cities (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44284-024-00180-z
