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A system disconnected: perspectives on post-disaster housing recovery policy and programs

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  • Alex Greer

    (State University of New York at Albany)

  • Joseph E. Trainor

    (University of Delaware)

Abstract

This study provides insights from individuals working to reestablish permanent housing in Sea Bright, NJ, following Hurricane Sandy. To collect these perspectives, we gathered data in two ways: a self-administered questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. We mailed questionnaires to every household in Sea Bright that included a number of fixed response items and open-ended questions that focused on the interface of government and citizens to discuss their housing recovery process and problems or pitfalls they have encountered while recovering. To complement our questionnaire data, we conducted interviews with full-time residents, part-time residents, homeowners, renters, and representatives of the local, state, and federal government. We utilized conventional content analysis methods to discover sociological themes, focusing on the underlying behaviors, actions, and emotions the text portrayed. Several powerful themes emerged from our analysis of the open-ended questions and interviews. Most notably, we found a fundamental disconnect between how policymakers and homeowners viewed the housing recovery process. In particular, survivors highlighted the amount of and complexity-laden paperwork associated with the aid process, unfavorable interactions with government employees and a system that seemed to have goals that were inherently different from their own, and the sense that the rules associated with aid were constantly changing. We conclude with a discussion of additional research needs and some preliminary policy recommendations based on these insights.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Greer & Joseph E. Trainor, 2021. "A system disconnected: perspectives on post-disaster housing recovery policy and programs," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 106(1), pages 303-326, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:106:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-020-04463-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-020-04463-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walter Gillis Peacock & Shannon Van Zandt & Yang Zhang & Wesley E. Highfield, 2014. "Inequities in Long-Term Housing Recovery After Disasters," Journal of the American Planning Association, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 80(4), pages 356-371, October.
    2. Peter J. May, 1999. "Fostering Policy Learning: A Challenge for Public Administration," International Review of Public Administration, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(1), pages 21-31, June.
    3. Jungbu Kim & Seong Soo Oh, 2014. "The virtuous circle in disaster recovery: who returns and stays in town after disaster evacuation?," Journal of Risk Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(5), pages 665-682, May.
    4. May, Peter J., 1992. "Policy Learning and Failure," Journal of Public Policy, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(4), pages 331-354, October.
    5. Andrew Rumbach & Carrie Makarewicz & Jeremy Németh, 2016. "The importance of place in early disaster recovery: a case study of the 2013 Colorado floods," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 59(11), pages 2045-2063, November.
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