Disasters exacerbate existing social and economic trends in places without fundamentally changing them (Kates 1977). The social inequalities in sociopolitical systems before a disaster limit the ability and capacity of different groups of people to cope with and rebound from disasters.
Hamideh and Sen (2022) conducted a qualitative case study on the recovery of housing in Marshalltown, Iowa after an EF3 tornado in 2018. This study addressed the often-overlooked challenges caused by low-attention disasters like tornadoes. The study identified a significant gap between the needs of uninsured and low-income households and the available recovery resources. This gap was further exacerbated by FEMA’s decision not to provide Individual Assistance (IA). A few local agencies offered alternative assistance, but they had limitations in serving all types of affected households. For instance, Region 6 Resource Partners, a voluntary association of local governments, was established to provide housing assistance to member communities, but only insured homeowners were qualified for the assistance. Another example is Voluntary Agencies Leading and Organizing Repairs (VALOR) Program by the city of Marshalltown that leveraged federal funding for only owners or those with a contract to purchase. The use of English and Spanish for information dissemination created a barrier for Asian immigrants to access assistance equitably. Many immigrant households hesitated to seek help due to fears about their immigration status. The study highlighted how immigrant status and low income compounded financial resource challenges. With limited financial aid and shortage of credible and experienced contractors, many immigrants and uninsured homeowners turned to family and friends for help, resulting in lower-quality repairs and slower recovery. The study emphasized that when aid is scarce, vulnerable populations struggle the most. Current U.S. disaster policies prioritize aggregate impact and hazard classification for aid allocation. The findings suggest a need to shift disaster policies to address disparities in recovery resource access based on social vulnerabilities.
