Renters Need Better Policies to Cope with Natural Disasters
My new research shows the effect of natural disasters on rental affordability
After Hurricane Katrina, 29% of single-family homes were damaged in Louisiana versus 35% of rental units, but while 62% of homeowners received disaster recovery assistance, only 18% of renters got similar aid.
Louisiana isn’t unique. Renters are an especially vulnerable population after natural disasters. They are generally less able to afford to move but are more likely to pay exorbitant markups when rental options are depleted. How renters are affected after a disaster is a key indicator of climate vulnerability, yet most political discourse and public policies focus on single-family homeowners.
That’s the opening of a new article showcasing my latest research, measuring the impacts of natural disasters on rents and vacancy rates in multifamily housing markets. To read the rest of the article, click here.
To read the full report released by the Brookings Institution, click here.