Disasters and Recovery
FEMA Data Reveal How Federal Disaster Aid Favors the Rich
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An analysis of 40,000 FEMA buyouts between 1989 and 2017 shows how federal aid has helped entrench and deepen pre-existing class and racial wealth inequality.
Puerto Rico
One Year after Maria, Federal Support of Puerto Rico Shows Depth of Inadequacy
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A year after Maria, it is clear that the federal response in Puerto Rico has been in large measure inadequate. One sign: To date, the median grant given to repair homes in Puerto Rico has been $1,800, compared with about $9,127 paid out to survivors of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
Disasters and Recovery
Study Finds White Wealth Rises after Disasters, but Declines for People of Color
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In counties with over $10 billion in damage from natural disasters, a new study finds that white household wealth climbed an average of $126,000 following recovery efforts. Yet wealth among Black, Latinx, and Asian households fell by $10,000–$29,000.
Puerto Rico
No Deeds Means No Dollars for Owners of Hurricane-Damaged Puerto Rico Homes
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The large amount of informal housing in Puerto Rico has resulted in almost as many FEMA claims being denied as are approved.
government funding
USVI Nonprofits Finally Forced to Demand their Allocated Disaster Dollars
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In the US Virgin Islands, nonprofits’ participation in disaster relief was immediately critical. But, reimbursing them did not seem so urgent to those dispensing disaster dollars.
FEMA
Congress’s Budget Deal Affirms Church Access to FEMA Funds
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Previously, FEMA public assistance grants, available to nonprofit community centers such as YMCAs or senior centers, had not been open to houses of worship. Now, churches, like other nonprofits, may apply for funding.
FEMA
When 30 Million Aid Meals Turns Out to Be 50,000
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Puerto Ricans and lawmakers question FEMA’s subcontracting snafu that left millions of emergency meals undelivered after Hurricane Maria.
FEMA
The Shutdown’s Potential Fallout for Nonprofits and Communities: A Heads-Up
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Government shutdowns are often passed off as non-events with little impact unless you are a government employee, but that’s not exactly the case.
separation of church and state
FEMA Expands Direct Access to Disaster Funds for Churches
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In a controversial move likely to be challenged by the ACLU among others, FEMA will no longer be able to exclude houses of worship from disaster funding.
federal funding
Counting on FEMA Funding? Buyer Beware
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Helping your community recover from disaster and promised money by FEMA? Be sure to document carefully. Over the past decade, FEMA denied appeals for at least $1.2 billion sought by local governments and nonprofits to protect or rebuild communities hit by natural disasters.