The Third National Climate Assessment (released on May 6, 2014) contains an important message: climate change is not a distant threat or a scientific theory. It is already adversely affecting people in communities across the country. Climate-related hazards are myriad and range from extreme weather events to sea level rise. Each of the DepartmentÕs many programs and communities served possess unique characteristics that contribute to the collective ability of the Department, its stakeholders, and its grantees to cope with the adverse effects of climate change. Taken together, the risk posed by climate change on HUDÕs programs and operations, the built environment HUD funds, and populations HUD serves is high. Real action is necessary to moderate the negative effects of climate change.