HOUSING HELPS IN DISASTER ALERTNESS

COLUMBUS: Researchers are particularly interested in how natural catastrophes such as hurricanes and floods influence people’s dwellings in the United States. But a new national study found that housing is also important before disasters happen: People with homes not meeting federal quality classifications and those who are housing insecure tend to be less prepared to face natural calamities. The study was published recently in the journal Global Environmental Change. “Housing security and quality are vital for people to be better prepared for disasters,” said Smitha Rao, lead author of the study and assistant professor of social work at The Ohio State University. Results showed that households facing housing insecurity - those behind on their payments for rent, mortgage or utilities - scored lower on a scale of disaster preparedness than those that were housing secure - even if the occupants had similar income and education. “Clearly, a precarious housing situation can make it harder for families to be ready when disaster strikes,” Rao said.. The importance of preparedness has never been greater in the United States. Between 2011 and 2019, the United States experienced 119 weather and climate disasters with damages exceeding $1 billion. While concerns around disasters and extreme weather events have risen, fewer than 40% of Americans have an emergency plan in place, research shows. This study was designed to examine how a variety of social and structural vulnerabilities - from socioeconomic and minority status, and household composition to housing quality and housing insecurity - were related to disaster preparedness, Rao said.