Disaster Preparedness and Housing Vulnerability: Community Perspectives from Underserved Houston Neighborhoods.

OBJECTIVE

This study qualitatively examines community experiences related to housing following natural disasters, focusing on damage to home infrastructure, barriers to completing repairs, and the resources needed for recovery and rebuilding.

METHODS

Participants included members from 3 historically underserved Houston communities (Kashmere Gardens, Fifth Ward, and Third Ward) with Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) rankings in the 80th percentile. Town hall-style conversations were held within each community; small focus groups were completed within the town halls. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes, supported by researcher triangulation, reflexivity, and member checking to establish trustworthiness.

RESULTS

Analysis identified 7 key themes :1) Successive Disasters Exacerbate Problems Driven by Gentrification, 2)Insufficient and Unequal Post-Disaster Resources Drive Dependence on Community Support Networks, 3) Systemic Delays in Relief Services to Underserved Communities Underscore The Need for Government Accountability, 4) Growing Distrust in Local Government to Address Evolving Post-Disaster Needs, 5) Navigating Complex Insurance Policies While Being Drained by a Disaster, 6) Trickle-Down Unpreparedness Starts at a City Level, and 7) Steps to Prepare for Future Disasters.

CONCLUSIONS

Systemic inequities in disaster preparedness and response affecting low-income Black and Hispanic communities are evident. Addressing these disparities requires prioritizing resource distribution, infrastructure investments, and community-driven planning and resilience building.