Hurricanes Helene and Milton Showed Us Why America’s Affordable Housing Crisis Can’t Wait

By: Jon Mabry, VP of Disaster Recovery

The urgency to address our nation’s housing crisis is greater than ever, as communities continue to recover from such as Hurricanes Helene and Milton and the Maui wildfires. These storms displaced thousands of families, adding even more strain to a housing system already on the brink. Housing professionals must act now, leveraging available tools to generate affordable, resilient housing that can withstand future storms.

One of the most powerful tools that housing and recovery experts have is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. As we reflect on its 50-year legacy, it remains one of the most flexible, forward-looking solutions to America’s immediate housing crisis and a key resource to look to as we navigate the long road to recovery for our neighbors impacted by Helene and Milton.

The Challenges

Vulnerable communities are often hit hardest, leaving many displaced. A year after the Maui wildfires, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently extended temporary housing assistance, with over 60% of survivors still lacking stable housing. To address this, we must maximize CDBG funds and push for policy reforms that build resilient, long-term solutions for communities nationwide.

The reality that many American families are facing right now is grim—housing costs are skyrocketing while wages remain stagnant, leaving many to struggle to make ends meet. According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard’s “2024 State of the Nation’s Housing” report, nearly one in four homeowners are burdened by housing costs, spending more than 30% of their income on housing and utilities. The situation is even more dire for renters, with half of all renters spending more than half of their household income on housing and utilities. In fact, their expenses are likely to increase up to 6% following the storms and remain there as less housing is available with more competition for what is available.

Leveraging CDBG

With the ongoing decline of affordable housing and low-priced rental stock, communities need to urgently assess their housing needs and map out impactful, realistic solutions to provide attainable housing. Jurisdictions should harness CDBG funding, tapping into financial resources that enable them to build and rehabilitate affordable housing and expand access for low- and moderate-income residents.

FEMA’s National Risk Index reveals that 60.5 million housing units are in areas with a moderate risk of hazards. As disasters increase in frequency and severity nationwide, our existing housing crisis worsens. Through CDBG-Disaster Recovery (DR) funding, communities ensure homes are built to withstand future disasters by implementing resiliency measures that mitigate future risks.

I have witnessed the benefits of resilience firsthand. Supporting Florida’s CDBG-DR program after Hurricane Irma in 2017, we found that over 90% of program-repaired homes hit by Hurricane Ian five years later sustained minimal or no damage. This success is due to strict construction standards and adherence to the Resilient Home Construction Standard and Green Building Standards. These efforts strengthened homes for future storms and reduced energy costs for already financially burdened homeowners through energy-efficient measures.

Building Affordable Housing

CDBG can help solve the affordable housing crisis by aligning federal resources with local land use policies. According to HUD’s Policy and Practice publication, integrating CDBG support with local zoning reforms helps reduce barriers to housing development and promotes more diverse and affordable options. Reforming zoning policies nationwide would increase housing supply, reduce costs, and remove exclusionary practices.

Local jurisdictions should also explore community land trusts, which separate land costs from building costs, making homeownership more attainable for low- and moderate-income families.

Focusing on resilience and pushing for local policy reforms will protect communities from future crises and expand access to stable, affordable housing.

The Case for Mitigation

In fact, the National Institute of Building Sciences makes a compelling case that mitigation works – saving up to $13 per dollar in future costs for $1 invested. Yet, as outlined in Harvard’s State of the Nation report, less than $2 billion is allocated annually to states, territories, and tribal nations to support their hazard mitigation programs.

As more people choose to live in scenic areas, they often ignore potential hazards and other risks. By investing in hazard mitigation and being mindful of where we develop, we can protect lives, property, and future resources.

We need further advocacy to secure mitigation dollars that complement existing recovery resources. By strategically investing in resilient infrastructure upfront and maximizing existing CDBG resources, we can expand our affordable housing stock and minimize the risk of displacement when disaster strikes.

With over 30 years of experience in disaster management, Jon Mabry has led large-scale recovery efforts, starting with Mississippi’s response to Hurricane Katrina. Known for his expertise in managing complex, federally funded programs, Jon has a proven track record of guiding communities through long-term recovery. Now, as Vice President of Disaster Recovery at IEM, he continues to drive innovative solutions for resilient rebuilding.