New joint report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition and the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation examines weather and climate-related risks facing America’s subsidized rental housing stock, which is home to some of the nation’s most marginalized renters
Washington, DC —Today, the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and the Public and Affordable Research Corporation (PAHRC) announced the release of their joint report demonstrating that one-third of federally assisted rental homes are located in areas at high risk for negative impacts from natural hazards like flooding, hurricane winds and storm surge, and wildfire.
‘Taking Stock: Natural Hazards and Federally Assisted Housing’ examines the locations of project-based federally assisted properties in relation to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Risk Index (NRI). The report recommends more resources and planning to prepare the federally assisted housing stock, which makes up 10% of all rental units, to weather future storms and climate-related disasters.
“Natural hazards pose a significant threat to federally assisted housing, while its residents are especially vulnerable to adverse impacts,” said NLIHC President and CEO Diane Yentel. “This report provides a national picture of this challenge and we encourage federal, state, and local stakeholders to assess the vulnerability of the federally assisted housing and develop or improve strategies and resources for equitable planning, mitigation, and recovery.”
“People living in federally assisted homes are more likely to live in socially vulnerable areas and are less likely to have supplies to endure natural hazards or the financial resources to evacuate than their unassisted peers,” said HAI Group President and CEO Ed Malaspina, a sponsor of PAHRC’s research. “In particular, federally assisted renters of color are more likely to live in areas of high risk than federally assisted white renters.”
As the costs and frequency of severe weather events climb, fully understanding and planning for their potential impact on affordable housing is critical.
For more on the risks natural hazards pose to federally assisted housing and learn about policies for preparedness and mitigation: https://bit.ly/35ZTwtn
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About National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC)
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to achieving socially just public policy that ensures people with the lowest incomes in the United States have affordable and decent homes. NLIHC educates, organizes, and advocates to ensure decent, affordable housing for everyone. For more information about NLIHC, please visit www.nlihc.org.
About The Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC)
The Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation delivers research, data, and tools to housing providers, policymakers, affordable housing advocates, and others who are working to help families achieve the benefits of an affordable home or increase the supply of affordable housing. Based in Cheshire, Connecticut, PAHRC is dedicated to building an evidence-based case for why affordable housing matters. For more information, visit https://www.pahrc.org.