Study of Assessing CDBG–DR and Disaster Recovery Outcomes of Renter Household

This research is conducted under the authority of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to undertake research and studies related to HUD’s mission and programs (12 USC 1701z-1 et seq.). Findings from various studies illustrate that renters are underprioritized compared to homeowners in terms of recovery program opportunities (Wilson et al., 2021). Renters have fewer disaster assistance options than homeowners (Mickelson et al., 2019) leading to longer-term displacement (Fussell and Harris, 2014). Additionally, disasters disrupting rental housing markets can permanently displace renters (Wilson et al., 2021), increase rents (Dillon-Merrill et al., 2018; GAO, 2010), affect long term availability (Dillon-Merrill et al., 2018; Sheldon and Zhan, 2019), cause post-disaster displacement , particularly for residents relying on housing vouchers (Hamideh and Rongerude, 2018; Vinogradasky, 2009), and result in displaced renters being less likely to return to their original places of residence (Levine et al., 2007; Hori and Schafer, 2010; Fussell and Harris, 2014). This research addresses the HUD issued NOFO (FR-6600-N-29A) to “improve disaster recovery effectiveness for renter households by examining the disaster recovery outcomes of renter households and rental housing stock in places that received Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery grants (CDBG-DR).” . This research objectives aim to (1) better understand CDBG-DR allocations across housing tenure, specifically for renters, (2) identify successful processes with corresponding outcomes for rental housing recovery aid programs, (3) engage with and link disaster recovery strategies and programs to actual and desired outcomes amongst renters from their lived experiences, and (4) translate this research into actionable programmatic recommendations with appropriate timelines, policy making and implementation changes to improve these outcomes. HORNE LLP is managing this research under a cooperative agreement. The purpose of this research is to involve both renters and property owners who have experienced disasters, aiming to capture their firsthand experiences and gain deeper insights into their specific needs and challenges. The overall goal of this study is to collaboratively devise targeted intervention strategies, implemented through CDBG-DR, to comprehensively address the needs of renters whose homes have been damaged or destroyed, thereby enhancing future disaster recovery efforts.

The latest form for Study of Assessing CDBG–DR and Disaster Recovery Outcomes of Renter Household expires 2027-04-30 and can be found here.

Interviews with renters, developers, landlords.

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Community and Social Services - Community and Regional Development