Climate change is making homes shrink and crack

The French environment ministry has warned that climate change—specifically cycles of extreme heat and intense rainfall—could damage 12 million homes across France, potentially affecting one in two detached houses. The temperature swings cause soil beneath homes to expand and contract, leading to foundation cracks and structural deterioration. While some homeowners can rely on insurance to cover repairs, many face substantial out-of-pocket costs as the damage becomes increasingly common. The problem underscores a growing vulnerability in France's housing stock to climate impacts that extend far beyond coastal flooding or dramatic storms.