The Alliance for Healthy Homes has written this Guide
for organizations and agencies that are working with people affected by recent
hurricanes—including community development corporations, tenant groups,
and other advocates for decent and affordable housing; environmental organizations
and environmental justice advocates; public interest lawyers; health advocates;
health care and social services providers; other helping organizations; and
civic watchdog groups—as well as for policy makers trying to ensure that
recovery benefits everyone, not just a privileged few.
While the Guide covers many issues
vital to families and individuals struggling to cope with loss of
jobs, homes, and other personal property and assets, we have tried
to focus on the serious environmental health hazards caused by hurricanes—especially
ones related to housing—and how the recovery process can reduce
these hazards and hopefully prevent similar consequences in future
hurricanes.
The Guide is divided into three parts:
Part I provides basic information
on the array of public benefits that are available to hurricane
survivors. Understanding how to access these benefits can be critical
for maintaining one’s health, including access to health
care, and having sufficient resources for short-term basic needs,
including food and shelter.
Part II addresses several
short- and medium-term recovery issues. We have attempted to cover
topics related to preservation and repair of housing with an emphasis
on health and safety issues related to returning to flood-affected
areas and properties.
Part III frames larger,
longer-term questions about health and affordability that are
intertwined with recovery and rebuilding—questions for which
there are not yet clear answers. The Alliance hopes the discussion
of these helps point the way for a more democratic and participatory
rebuilding process that takes seriously the affordable, healthy
housing needs of people.
The Alliance also recognizes the vast real-work experience
of those working on the ground in the Gulf Coast region, as well as those who
have been involved in past hurricane recovery efforts. Because of this, the
Alliance encourages other organizations to share
with us practical advice and effective practices that they have
found helpful.
