The following is a review of disaster housing recovery developments since the last edition of Memo to Members and Partners (for the article in the previous Memo, see 2/11).
2018 California Wildfires
Seventy-seven percent of the causalities from the Camp Fire in Paradise, CA, were senior citizens. Many were disabled, low-income, and living alone. The LA Times discusses why the impact was so disproportionate and what can be done to protect the most vulnerable populations during natural disasters.
The Butte County Board of Supervisors examined various housing options – including expanding where survivors can park RVs – during a recent meeting. Representatives from various agencies also updated the Board on recovery efforts, stating that about nine people are still living at the Red Cross shelter that was scheduled to close at the end of January.
Hurricane Michael
Florida
The Bay District School Board voted on February 5 to close three schools due to a combination of hurricane damage and population loss.
Annual tourist season is less than three weeks away for Panama City. While condo owners see Spring Break tourism as an economic lifeline, those temporarily staying in tourist accommodations are being warned that their weekly or monthly rates will soon double, while others have learned that after February 28, their leases will not be renewed at any price.
Reporting from Marianna, FL, The Tallahassee Democrat published the second of a multiple-article series documenting recovery from Hurricane Michael along Highway 71. The project includes testimony from elected officials, civic leaders, business owners, and residents about the storm’s impacts.
A number of groups in Jackson and Calhoun Counties have come together to create the North Florida Inland Long Term Recovery Group. The organization aims to coordinate recovery services and is currently working to engage local leaders and residents. More information can be found on their website.
Hurricane Florence
North Carolina
Federal Response
Through a grant from FEMA, Endeavors and North Carolina Emergency Management are providing case-management services for survivors to develop and carry out a long-term recovery plan. The Disaster Case Management program provides services for up to 24 months.
Local Perspectives and Resources
New estimates show the final costs of damage from Hurricane Florence are higher than the costs from 2016’s Hurricane Matthew and 1999’s Hurricane Floyd combined.
2017 Disasters
Federal Response
Hurricane Harvey survivors who wish to continue living in temporary housing units will be required to pay rent after February 25. Rents will be based on the HUD Fair Market Rent, although some survivors may be eligible to have the rate reduced to as low as $50 per month.
FEMA approved $61 million in Public Assistance grants to Puerto Rico, including nearly $33 million for the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration for emergency protective measures and another $17 million to relocate public housing projects in Ciales.
FEMA extended the deadline for the Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power program (STEP) in the U.S. Virgin Islands to March 31.
Local Perspectives and Resources
Puerto Ricans who lost their jobs in Puerto Rico due to Hurricane Maria can now apply for disaster unemployment assistance (DUA). More than 10,000 Puerto Ricans are eligible, and payments will be made retroactively. Some advocates worry the Puerto Rican government has set conditions for the program that may make applying difficult for many survivors. DHRC members Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico, LatinoJustice, and National Employment Law Project have developed several resources - a fact sheet in English and Spanish and a social media guide for organizations - to educate survivors about the opportunity.
A new episode of “A Little Louder” – a podcast produced by Texas Housers – discusses new state bills that could help Texas address reoccurring recovery issues and ensure disaster survivors receive needed assistance in a reasonable amount of time.
Many contract workers in the U.S. Virgin Islands have not been paid for their work. Although many contractors have already started or completed repairs and other projects, delays in the release of funds from FEMA have prevented the U.S. Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority from paying these workers.
A new study published in Urban Studies found that New Orleans neighborhoods more heavily impacted by Hurricane Katrina have been more likely to have gentrified following the storm.