NATURAL DISASTERS ABOUND
Helene, et al, Teaches Harsh Lessons
Who’s paying attention?
I understand that many people don’t quite understand the many iterations of homelessness, but legislators controlling pursestrings and policies fit squarely in the need-to-know category.
Tragically, Hurricane Helene swooped in through FL, GA, SC, NC, TN, and VA and imposed harsh homelessness lessons on the many ways life changes when disaster hits. Similar lessons are being conducted by other storms and natural disasters across the country.
Here in western North Carolina, I rode out Helene in my camper. Fortunately, no trees fell on me or my little home. Plenty fell around me. Power, off for about a week, impacted my access to water. My suffering was minor compared to countless others in the swath of the storm. Instead of rehashing damage done, let’s focus on a hopefully teachable moment.
Get those who need-to-know up to speed
In Canton, NC, a bit west of hard-hit Asheville, their Republican state legislator Mark Pless, who also serves as a paramedic, made a few observations that concerned me. Because Mr. Pless is the chair of the state House’s Disaster Recovery and Homeland Security Committee, his beliefs and observations are particularly relevant.
After observing that our thus far mild temperatures would soon be dropping, with power still off for thousands of NC residents, he expressed concern about providing long-term shelter to those who need it.
“I don’t know that we’ll be able to do mass sheltering for a long period of time,” he said on NBC News on October 5.
Just what do you have in mind for the thousands of kids and adults who lost their housing? You have something better in mind?
We’re talking congregate shelter — gyms, churches, etc. — not cozy hotel rooms. These are the shelters of last resort, with countless displaced people turning to hotels or relatives/friends if they have those options. Without alternatives, a cot in a gym is better than nothing while some will tough it out in tents, cars, campers, or the great outdoors. States like neighboring Tennessee have made camping on public property illegal, reinforced by the Supreme Court.
If not mass sheltering (in my opinion, a dreadful option), what? These rural communities have few hotels/motels, and even fewer shelters. Affordable housing, the obvious answer, has proven to be elusive here and nationwide.
North Carolina, my home state for the past 16 months, is like every other state when it comes to providing housing options for the unhoused, aka “homeless,” population. Not. So. Much. Even before Helene.
According to Haywood County Manager Bryant Morehead,
“We’ve had housing problems here for the last few years . . . Covid made it difficult. Tropical Storm Fred made it even worse . . . And now here comes Helene.” — NBC News, 10/5/24
Now thousands of people, many in rural areas with flimsy incomes, lost their ramshackle housing, and lack wherewithal to apply for federal disaster assistance. What that leaves is a whole bunch of potentially homeless individuals and families with nowhere to go and a legislator determined to shut down their only option.
Not oversimplifying homelessness
I’m just brushing the surface causes of homelessness. My “Other Stuff” chart adds more substance to issues impacting homelessness to give more depth to this misunderstood topic. It’s vital information for Rep. Pless and others in similar positions of power.
The person who is in charge of how people get helped in NC disasters needs to know what happens, and doesn’t, when these communities get ravaged.
Other NC disaster lessons
Not long ago, I was driven around Robeson County, NC, to see the aftermath of two hurricanes that hit back in 2016 and 2018 for a film on NC family homelessness I was making. The flooding destroyed scores of affordable housing units, including public housing complexes. Those affordable apartments are still not repaired or replaced, leaving that community with a significant homelessness problem — families and individuals.
Fortunately, the Lumbee Tribe has stepped up to help members with their housing needs. But why hasn’t the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD, stepped up? (Psssst! This is where state and federal legislators are supposed to step up to advocate for their constituents.)
In the spirit of education, here are my suggestions for lawmakers everywhere.
Legislators’ 10 Commandments:
- Help your community be prepared for the storm heading your way.
- Use your power and abilities to do good in your community for those who need help.
- Don’t underestimate the long-term impact of storm damage on others with fewer resources and/or more significant challenges.
- Advocate relentlessly (as if it was for your loved ones) for more support from state and federal agencies.
- Don’t assume people have what they need just because they’re not expressing their needs to you.
- Don’t get impatient with the people who’ve been displaced; their lives are complicated.
- Solutions shouldn’t be based on the “Good enough for who it’s for . . . ” mentality.
- Inventory your community’s disaster response resources to be ready for future occurrences.
- Speak with those impacted by the storms, if at least to give a listening ear, but more likely to learn from them.
- Check back after you think the storm damage has cleared up to see if unmet needs still linger, then bring those needs to the table.
A sadly timely resource
On another front, I’m about to begin a multi-state book tour for our new publication, The Three Melissas — The Practical Guide to Surviving Family Homelessness. I plan to catch up with each of the Melissas, in KS, IL and FL, and share the spotlight with them as we talk about this magnificent little guide with parents experiencing homelessness, those working with homeless families, and those curious about this obscure issue.
A journalist recently asked Melissa from FL for her thoughts on going through a hurricane and becoming homeless, since she knows firsthand what it’s like. Here’s an excerpt from her sage reply:
“Recovery for those who were already homeless, or in danger of becoming homeless, is much like being forced onto a roller coaster ride that only offers a chance to exit if you have enough money and connections to persuade the operator to pull the lever and allow your people to safely move from chaos to security.”
I would love to put her and Rep. Pless on a roller coaster.
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