DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY:

From the Perspective of Faith-Based and Secular Nonprofit Organizations: A Dialogue

University of Houston –Clear LakeUniversity of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

Center for the Study of Natural Hazards and Disasters

Funding from the Department of Homeland Security

OUTLINE

Research Project 1 – Texas and North Carolina Research Project 2 – Houston Metro Region A Dialogue with YOU! Future Research Thanks!

THE RESEARCH PROJECT 1

The Research Team Overview of the Research Project Research Questions:

What are the constraints and facilitators of post-disaster housing recovery?

What policies, resources, and capabilities are needed to improve housing recovery after a disaster?

DATA AND METHODOLOGY

Two survey instruments: 167 mailed survey to public officials 24 in-person and phone interviews with

public officials, nonprofits, and volunteers Site visits to study communities Relevant federal, state, and

local documents Relevant websites and new item Damage assessments/Housing data loss On-going data analysis

CHALLENGES OF DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS

Political Climate Some community members don’t want a substantial damage

determination Timing

Can take months to years for data to be processed and released to public

Needs to be analyzed immediately Data Collection

Poor management after event Hard to find and receive from various organizations Pride in data ownership

USEFULNESS OF DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS

Response and Recovery Management Self-accruing community database Divide community into sections for emergency relief and un-

met needs Funding mechanisms

Leverage for federal and/or state assistance Performance Evaluation

Can be used for employee training in the “off-season”

CASE STUDY: SHOREACRES, TEXAS

SHOREACRES SELF-ASSESSMENTS

85% housing loss 144 homes reviewed through RSDE 79 Substantially Damaged Homes 613 Minor-Major Damaged Homes Lost 1 in 7 homes 27% tax base loss 12% homes without insurance 12 homes inspected by commercial adjuster

Raised community value by 7% for RSDE Held weekly workshops for 3 months after Ike

Bi-monthly thereafter

QUESTIONS:

How useful are damage assessments?

Can they be improved?

PRELIMINARY MAILED SURVEY RESULTS

QUESTIONS:

What helps smaller communities like Shoreacres recovery?

What is the role of nonprofit organizations?

How can as assist nonprofit organizations?

MAJOR OBSTACLES TO HOUSING RECOVERY

Insurance Availability Lack of government assistance, FEMA Assistance gap – ineligible people Conflicting information from FEMA An anti-government, go-it-alone philosophy Structures built pre-FIRM/flood ordinances Long-term Flood damage is difficult to assess prior to

tear-out Availability of qualified contractors Lack of communication

THE SUCCESSES

Elevated homes in the flood plain Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC)

The public sector recovery City infrastructure back online

Citizens taking a more active role in preparedness and mitigation Increase in community understanding

Volunteer organizations/ Nonprofits

THE RESEARCH PROJECT 2

The Research Team Overview of the Research Project Research Questions:

In what ways to secular and religious nonprofits assist in disaster response and recovery?

How can assist the work of secular and religious nonprofits in disaster response and recovery?

CURRENT STATUS

40 in-person interviews More than 140 surveys New brief survey online

Detail of Studied Area with Sample Points

PRELIMINARY FINDINGSWhat Influences Response and Recovery?

FACTORS THAT FACILITATE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

1. Experience (Institutional knowledge/training)

2. Collaboration (horizontal/vertical integration)

3. Planning (mitigation/recovery planning) – that includes

local nonprofits

4. Local Knowledge

5. Community Approaches

6. Local Foundations

7. Integrating local NGOs into local government

FACTORS THAT DELAY AND EVEN PREVENT RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

1. Coordination/Timing Issues

2. Inadequate Existing Resources that are flexible and

immediate

3. Limitations of Damage Assessments

4. Personal connections – who you know

PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONSMoving Forward

FEDERAL

Provide FEMA representatives familiar/knowledgeable with the local community

Clarify and address Duplication of Benefits and discrimination against the most vulnerable

Pamlico County – the Popperwill Family’s efforts to recover

FEDERAL

Need flexible & immediate funding for local nonprofits Preapproved Memorandum of Understanding (recognized by FEMA)

Educate staff on the importance of working with local nonprofits and recognizing established community collaborations Local Foundations and Community Organizations

Provide a “book of codes” for nonprofits to navigate reimbursement

NON-COMPLIANCE

“I was shocked when the first family that I worked with and found out that they are in a home that is probably 80 years old, no upgrades, and their insurance was costing them $3,200 per year. And, they just simply can’t do it. The lack of savings and the lack of long-term financial stability certainly played into it.” (Dare County)

STATE

Stage building and insurance experts at the Disaster Recovery Centers to reduce misinformation

Serve as the data coordinator/data liaison between local jurisdictions and federal agencies

Create a network of jurisdictional and contracting aid Work with local jurisdictions for site placement of THUs

LOCAL COUNTY / JURISDICTION

Plan for the inevitable loss of tax revenues Continue to refine and use damage assessment data Pre-event zoning of community Train employees for disaster preparedness Establish partnerships with local

foundations and nonprofits Involve nonprofits in

disaster planning and recovery Serve as a liaison between FEMA

and local nonprofits

ALL STAKEHOLDERS

Bring all stakeholders to the table pre-, during-, and post-event. Nurture long-term relationships and partnerships

Streamline damage assessments and case management Institutional knowledge is a vital and overlooked part of

recovery and should be nurtured Local foundations and community organizations play an

important role in disaster recovery

THE MEDIA FOCUS….

This aerial photo taken during a helicopter tour, on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, with a group of federal and state officials shows a section of Highway 12 at the edge of Rodanthe, N.C., that was destroyed by Hurricane Irene. (The News & Observer, Chris Seward, Associated Press)

CHALLENGES & LAST THOUGHTS

Scale, timing, and funding differences between Ike and Irene

Expanding the role of National and Local VOAD organizations in creating connections between governmental and nonprofit organizations

Establishing a chamber for nonprofit organizations Identifying and recognizing unmet needs (mental health

issues, legal aid, medical and prescription drug needs, pet issues, language barriers, culture specific issues)

Social Infrastructure

FUTURE RESEARCH

Expand the research geographically

Expand the research to include more federal public officials and/or the experiences of homeowners

Explore best practices for recovery

Compare recovery planning in communities with those that don’t

What resources do nonprofits need?

YOUR COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS?

THANK YOU!