HOUSING INSECURITY AND CLIMATE-RELATED DISASTERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES - A CALL FOR ACTION

Sep 29, 2026

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Natural disasters impose disproportionate burdens on minoritized communities, making housing impacts essential for strengthening preparedness. This study explored community experiences with housing after natural disasters through three town-hall style conversations in historically underserved Houston neighborhoods. Facilitated round-table discussions used open-ended prompts, with real-time notes and graphic recording. Reflexive thematic analysis identified seven themes, including exacerbation by gentrification, inequitable post-disaster resource distribution, systemic relief delays, distrust in local government, and navigation of complex insurance policies.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Study overview

Methods and analysis approach

Key findings and themes

Implications for equitable preparedness

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 421 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.1432 HOUSING INSECURITY AND CLIMATE-RELATED DISASTERS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES: A CALL FOR ACTION Carlos Fuentes1, Quenette Walton2, Brenda Tijerina3, Lauren Gilbert4, and Omolola Adepoju4, 1. Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States, 2. University of Houston, Houston, Texas, United States, 3. West Street Recovery, Houston, Texas, United States, 4. University of Houston College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States Although natural disasters are equal opportunity events, research suggests that they place a disproportionate burden on minoritized communities. Examining the effects of these disasters is critical to increasing preparedness among our most vulnerable.This study aims to explore community experiences related to housing following natural disasters. Participants included members from three historically 422 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 underserved Houston communities with Social Vulnerability Index rankings in the 80th percentile. Three town hall-style conversations were held within each community. Participants engaged in facilitated round-table discussions with open-ended questions. Notes were captured in real-time by both an assigned note-taker and a professional graphic recorder. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes, supported by research triangulation, reflexivity, and member checking for trustworthiness.Analysis identified seven key themes:1) Successive Disasters Exacerbate Problems Driven by Gentrification, 2) Inequitable Distribution of Resources Post-Disaster Results in Reliance on Community-Led Support, 3) Systemic Delays in Relief Services for Underserved Communities must be Addressed by Government Officials, 4) Growing Distrust in Local Government to Address Evolving Post-Disaster Needs, 5) Navigating Complex Insurance PoliciesWhile Being Drained by a Disaster,6)Trickle-Down Unpreparedness Starts at a City Level, and 7) Steps to Prepare for Future Disasters. Systemic inequities in disaster preparedness and response affecting low-income Black and Hispanic communities are evident. Addressing these disparities requires prioritizing equitable resource distribution, infrastructure investments, and community-driven planning and building resilience. Implementing transparent, inclusive strategies to reduce vulnerability and ensure these communities are better supported before, during, and after disasters is crucial.

FAQs

What is the study’s primary focus?

The study examines community experiences related to housing following natural disasters and how these experiences affect preparedness in underserved communities.

How were participants and discussions organized?

Participants came from three historically underserved Houston communities with Social Vulnerability Index rankings in the 80th percentile. Three town hall-style conversations were held in each community, followed by facilitated round-table discussions with open-ended questions.

What key themes emerged from the analysis?

Seven themes were identified, including successive disasters worsening gentrification-driven problems, inequitable post-disaster resource distribution, systemic delays in relief services, growing distrust in local government, and challenges navigating complex insurance policies.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Kurz