How can local communities meet the needs of disadvantaged groups before disaster strikes?

How can local communities meet the needs of disadvantaged groups before disaster strikes?

In 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued new guidelines for residents, emergency management practitioners, organization and community leaders, and government officials, called “A community-wide approach to emergency management: principles, themes and means of action. “The key principles of this document provide a new model for collaborative management of the complexities inherent in community disaster recovery. Post-disaster recovery will not only affect our physical health, but also our social cohesion, economic status, and physical and mental health. In addition, due to barriers to access to social capital, economic resources, and self-efficacy barriers, disaster results often have a disproportionate impact on those who are already facing unequal challenges. Therefore, recovery requires effective integration of various expertise and unified efforts in these areas in pre-disaster and post-disaster planning.

In a landmark article on Homeland Security Affairs in 2012, it was titled “Integrating the social determinants of community preparedness and resilience in the 21st century^Yingshi Century Emergency Management Plan“The author points out that the “social determinants of community readiness and resilience” must be considered in the early planning process and depend on the establishment of trust among stakeholders and the participation of local communities. These social determinants include average income, savings Percentages, education levels, unemployment rates, and infrastructure such as housing supply. The latter is an extremely important area for long-term recovery, because if planning does not solve the long-standing housing problem, the community cannot be rebuilt to be stronger. For example. ,like “Tracking the American Dream: The 50-year housing history of the Census Bureau: 1940-1990,” Throughout 20 years, the homeownership rate of people of color is low^day In the centuries, it is often due to housing policies that have contributed to apartheid and at the same time depleted the social capital of future generations. Redlining, many banks in 20^day The century also created a poverty trap for thousands of households. A recent study It shows that African Americans and immigrant homeowners who were previously denied bank loans are now suffering from a larger health gap, with life expectancy many years shorter than other communities in the same city.

In 2021, we are still experiencing the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the same problems have appeared, causing more damage to communities with limited solutions. This disaster has exacerbated the affordable housing crisis that is already facing challenges.according to Budget and Policy Priority Center, More than one-seventh of renters defaulted on payment, and people of color were the worst affected. In December 2020, Congress approved U.S. rescue plan for 2021 This includes more than $40 billion in emergency rent assistance, which can pay rent and help tenants avoid eviction. However, Reaching the people most in need is slowFor many people, deportation and immigration crises will replace public health challenges in the coming years.

There is clearly a need to better coordinate and effectively provide funds and resources to those most affected by disasters, especially in the housing sector. Solutions are difficult to find, but some solutions are promoting meaningful change. As stated in its May 2020 Disaster Housing Planning Consideration Report, FEMA has recommended that states coordinate a disaster housing task force long before the disaster strikes. According to FEMA, the Disaster Housing Working Group is “a permanent agency responsible for coordinating state, local, tribal, territorial, federal, non-governmental, and private sector experts to determine and evaluate housing plans, resources, and capabilities as a disaster housing plan After the accident, the Disaster Housing Working Group will:

• Activate when starting a housing mission
• Determine the scope of housing needs in the disaster area
• Explore available leasing resources and feasible alternatives
• Determine and implement housing solutions after the incident.

research shows Developing an effective housing planning strategy at the state and local levels, including the entire community and preparing for long-term challenges and solutions, can have a meaningful impact on the long-term recovery of major disasters.States with strong disaster housing working groups, such as Florida, Also recently demonstrated the benefits of long-term housing planning as a means to reduce loss of life and property, while also preventing large-scale migration and the loss of communities from disaster-stricken areas. Such programs can help low-income families immediately pay for emergency repairs, rental deposits, down payment and transfer fee assistance, impact fees, mortgage purchases, and home ownership consulting. As people rebuild rather than leave, all these efforts can help the rapid recovery of affected communities.Perhaps more importantly, these programs can Promote community trust and well-beingIn areas that were previously denied adequate disaster assistance.

The long-term challenges faced by the U.S. housing sector, such as racial discrimination and red lines, have brought numerous challenges, especially in the context of continued epidemics and other major disasters (such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, heat waves, and earthquakes) in communities. This article points out that disaster outcomes usually have an excessive impact on those facing unequal challenges, but when we boldly try new research-supported methods, solutions are possible, and these methods can significantly add value. One of these tasks involves the development and implementation of a post-disaster housing task force led by the state, because they can help community members (including representatives and advocates of vulnerable groups) develop post-disaster housing plans to ensure that all the needs of community members meet.

If you want to develop or participate in a disaster housing working group for your state, tribal country or region-first register for one of the free FEMA online sponsorship or instructor-led training from the National Disaster Preparedness Center. (ncdpcourses.org)