This white paper examines the disparities based on race and income that have historically been present in all phases of the disaster recovery process – most prominently in long-term recovery and rebuilding. The authors offer policy recommendations drawn from Texas’ experience, focusing primarily on the challenges surrounding administration and oversight of the long-term recovery process.… Read more
The state of Texas recently developed a rapid re-housing model, called RAPIDO, to help low income families recover from disasters more quickly. This report outlines the model’s key innovations, incorporation of fair housing to improve outcomes, and recommendations for next steps. Localities in any state can use this a guide for improving disaster recovery housing… Read more
This FEMA Best Practice guide outlines recommendations for localities to provide pet-friendly shelters during emergencies and large-scale evacuations. Localities should have a plan for implementing pet-friendly shelters to increase the likelihood that pet-owners will evacuate to safety with their pets. Pet-friendly shelters typically allow pet-owners to care for their own animals within the owner’s shelter… Read more
This presentation provides an overview of eligibility requirements, including program, project and homeowner eligibility levels. As presented to the National League of Cities, March 2017 IBTS Presentation: Eligibility Requirements (PowerPoint)
The Super Circular or Omni Circular, officially called the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (2 C.F.R. Part 200) went into effect on December 26, 2014, to increase the accessibility and impact of federal program funds by decreasing time spent complying with burdensome administrative requirements and better protect against waste,… Read more
The following summarizes the history of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The early post-Great Depression legislative measures from 1932 – 1938 stimulated housing construction in the U.S. Emergency Relief and Reconstruction Act of 1932 P.L. 75 – 432 First major U.S. relief legislation. Passed by Congress… Read more
This provides a summary of recommended improvements to New York City’s operations based on operations before, during and after Hurricane Sandy. The report notes that it is not an exhaustive list of all lessons learned in Hurricane Sandy; rather, it is intended to provide “a roadmap of the strategic steps the City will take to… Read more
A field report, which examines the devastation due to Hurricane Sandy experienced in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, a neighborhood consisting of geographically isolated low-lying commercial and residential units, with a concentration of low-income housing, and disproportionate rates of poverty and poor health outcomes largely experienced by Black and Latino residents. The authors conclude that… Read more
This fact brief summarizes information the Furman Center has gathered regarding the characteristics of properties in the areas of the city flooded by Sandy’s storm surge and demographic characteristics of households that have registered to receive assistance from FEMA. Findings are organized in 3 main sections: Extent of the Surge Impact of the Surge on… Read more
This paper outlines the major “Lessons Learned” by municipalities in responding to Superstorm Sandy. The report identifies what worked and what did not, focusing on three areas: providing basic services, meeting the needs of special populations, and allocating resources. It also identifies what needs attention and ways to build resilience before the next inevitable disaster.… Read more
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