Lakewood, Ohio Residents and Planners Convene on Climate Migration Preparedness

On November 12, 2026, New America’s Future of Land and Housing program, in partnership with the Cuyahoga County Department of Sustainability and the City of Lakewood, will host a scenario planning session around the future impacts of climate migration on housing affordability and community development. The event will bring together residents, community-based organizations, researchers, planners, policymakers, and other stakeholders to explore what Lakewood can do to prepare their housing and infrastructure for potential climate migration in the decades ahead.

Located on Lake Erie to the immediate west of Cleveland, Lakewood is one of the most densely populated cities in Ohio, with a large share of renters and older housing stock. Without preparation, climate-related migration to Lakewood could raise housing costs, displace longtime residents, overburden infrastructure, and strain public services. In our session, community members who are most at risk of displacement will have the opportunity to share their experiences and priorities to inform the conversation around climate migration preparedness.

Event participants will work through a scenario planning exercise to create several possible “futures” for their community, based on different climate migration and housing conditions. Attendees will then outline possible policies and strategies to protect housing affordability while also boosting Lakewood’s ability to welcome newcomers.

This event is part of New America’s Great Lakes Receiving Network, a multi-city initiative to help cities in the Midwest region prepare their housing and communities for climate migration, in partnership with residents and community organizations. As a first step in each city where we work, we use our CivicSpace methodology, a people-centered approach to public policy, to engage with community members on climate migration and housing. Previous events were held in 2026 in Minneapolis, Cincinnati, North Chicago, and on Chicago’s North and West Sides, with over 150 local residents and practitioners attending in total.