Disasters destroy and damage large amounts of housing, with subsidized housing renters experiencing disproportionate impacts as a result of the lack of disaster risk management (DRM) planning from Public Housing Authorities (PHAs).
Despite federal initiatives providing PHAs more flexibility to create local DRM plans, a gap in research remains on the influence of these initiatives in implementing DRM strategies.
UW researchers collaborated with the National Low Income Housing Coalition and Stony Brook University to conduct key informant (KI) interviews with federal and state housing officials, PHA leaders and housing non-profit staff.
Interviewees cited financial and administrative hindrances, lack of policy and lack of disaster training among PHA staff as significant obstacles to utilizing DRM. PHA interviewees specifically mentioned the lack of federal guidance as a barrier to engaging with DRM, as well as incoherent communication between local, state and federal governmental agencies.
Researchers identified past disaster experience, interagency partnerships and designated DRM roles at PHAs as solutions to effectively implement DRM strategies at PHAs. Specific opportunities for increased engagement include investing in staff capacity and development of additional federal guidance and/or requirements.