As natural hazards intensify, living expenses like energy, mortgages and insurance will get more expensive for climate vulnerable homes – that is, homes that are in high-risk areas and have not been built to mitigate those risks. This project aims to encourage building or retrofitting of homes that are climate-ready, by demonstrating that the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs.

The Where We Build, What We Build project was undertaken in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula region. One of the goals of the region is to remain liveable, affordable and resilient in the changing climate, by better managing climate risks. To help achieve this, the project explored:

1. Where We Build – the exposure of the region's existing housing to flood, heat and bushfire risks
2. What We Build – the sensitivity of the region's existing housing to those risks
3. Climate-Ready Home – the ideal specification for a climate-ready home in the region
4. Economic Analysis – the costs and benefits of building or retrofitting to climate-ready specifications, compared with existing housing stock and standards.

The project is an initiative of Resilient Hills & Coasts, delivered by Edge Environment. It was jointly funded by the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments under the South Australian Disaster Resilience Grant Program, and the Insurance Council of Australia. The scope covers Adelaide Hills Council, Alexandrina Council, District Council of Mount Barker, City of Victor Harbor and District Council of Yankalilla.