Abstract: Submission #215

Abstract Housing is a fundamental human right, yet climate change exacerbates housing insecurity, particularly in vulnerable communities. Green social work is gaining momentum primarily because its value bears huge dividends on housing-related domains, inter alia housing tenure, housing stability and security, homemaking, food security and neighbourhoods relations. Therefore, this qualitative study explores the intersection of housing, climate change, and green social work focusing on Zimbabwe and South Africa. Informed by the social vulnerability theory, the authors interrogate contemporary housing, housing vulnerability and opportunities for green social work pertaining in these two southern African neighbouring countries. The authors employed the scoping literature review methodology to analyse 1) climate, climate justice and housing policy particularly for poor communities 2) opportunities for green social work in advancing housing and concomitant rights. Consonant with the scoping literature methodology, the study organised, screened and synthesised housing and related policies, media and print articles including academic literature associated with green social work to identify critical housing and climate change events, gaps and opportunities. Findings reveal that climate-induced disasters, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic disparities contribute to perpetuating housing insecurity. Sadly, there is currently a very minimal social work envisaged to mitigate housing insecurity and boost climate resilience. The study recommends policy advocacy that would agitate for climate-smart housing policies, climate change education, early warning partnerships and developmental governance. This research contributes to the discourse on housing justice and climate adaptation, emphasizing the urgency of policy reforms that align with sustainable development goals.