Recap: June 24 National HoUSed Campaign Call on the Current Landscape of Disaster Recovery

On June 24, NLIHC hosted a national HoUSed campaign call discussing the current landscape of disaster recovery as communities prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. NLIHC Director of Disaster Recovery Noah Patton started the discussion by sharing the latest updates on disaster recovery and avenues for advocacy under the second Trump Administration. He was joined by Union of Concerned Scientists’ Associate Director of Just Climate Resilience Zoe Middleton who gave an overview of the impacts of the National Weather Service’s loss of data and capacity. Shaylin Sluzalis, co-director of the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies, discussed the Partnership’s disability-led work to combat the disproportionate impact of disasters on people with disabilities. Katherine Galifianakis, senior program director of shelter transition and housing at the American Red Cross, reviewed the Red Cross’s disaster recovery services, which include disseminating warnings and coordinating resources and shelter for people who have been displaced or evacuated. Abre’ Conner, the NAACP director of the Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, highlighted the NAACP’s work to address the disproportionate impact of environmental and climate disasters on racial and ethnic communities as well as the historic roots of the climate justice movement in the movement for racial equity. Jena Garren, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief Regional Coordinator, concluded the call with a discussion on how local mutual aid networks can meet needs directly during disaster preparation and response.  

Resources Shared on the June 24 Call

Disaster Recovery Updates and Avenues for Advocacy 

• Take action to oppose cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) and disaster recovery!
• Register for the Disaster Housing Recovery working group and learn more about NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery, Research, and Resilience work.
• Read NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Toolkit for strategies and best practices for disaster-impacted communities.  

National Weather Service Updates 

• Read and sign the Union of Concerned Scientists’ open letter calling on Congress and the Trump administration to protect funding for weather and climate monitoring and prediction.  

Disability & Disaster 

• Check out the Disability and Disaster Hotline, which assists disabled disaster survivors with disaster-related needs.
• Learn more about The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies’ work.  

Preparations for Hurricane Season 

• Read more about Red Cross’s disaster recovery services.
• Learn more about how to prepare for emergencies, including disasters.  

Community Preparedness for Disasters 

• Check out the NAACP’s resources and information for communities experiencing disasters.
• Learn more about the NAACP’s Center for Environmental and Climate Justice.  

Mutual Aid & Disaster Recovery 

• Read more about Mutual Aid Disaster Relief’s work.  

A recording of the call, as well as the presentation slides, are now available. Register here for the series and the next national HoUSed campaign call on July 22 from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET. Please note that the July 8 HoUSed call has been canceled. 

NLIHC’s national HoUSed campaign calls take place on the second and last Tuesday of every month, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET.