Experiencing a Natural Disaster While Street Homeless

Background/Purpose: Homeless individuals are at increased vulnerability to natural disasters. Factors that increase disaster vulnerability include limited options for shelter, limited access media, social isolation, and lack of transportation. A review of the literature suggests that communities and organizations are not prepared to meet the needs of those homeless.

Missing from the literature are the experiences of those who are street homeless and what they do when a natural disaster is upon the community where they are. This paper captures the experiences of adults who were homeless and were on the street when a natural disaster hit their area. From these groups, recommendations on how to improve emergency management processes and outreach for this group will be discussed.

Methods: An exploratory study was designed using focus group methodology to capture the experiences of those who were homeless when a natural disaster hit their area. This study was done in collaboration with the National Health Care for the Homeless Council (NHCHC) as part of a larger demonstration project awarded to this agency. A total of 31 homeless adults, from two counties in FL, participated in this study. Focus groups were held in local agencies that provide daily assistance or limited shelter to those homeless. Participants were recruited by agency personnel.  Focus group questions centered on the time period of when a natural disaster was predicted, when the disaster was in the area, and immediately following the event. Each group lasted no more than 2 hours and participants were asked to attend only one focus group. Demographic information was not collected. This study was approved by the university IRB.

Findings: Analysis of the qualitative data revealed similar strategies among the groups. A key concern was that by the time emergency management, local government, and other social service agencies decide to open for disaster operations, those homeless state that have been trying to cope with extreme weather conditions and the destruction of the little property they did have. Outreach strategies to help inform homeless of the disaster are not perceived as being helpful. When the disaster hits the community, respondents were often conflicted about using available shelter services. After the disaster, many wanted to help officials and homeowners clear local areas to gain cash to help replenish lost items, but this option was not often available. During the recovery period, street homeless suggested they were the most invisible to aid workers due to the increased demand from average citizens.

Conclusion and Implications: While there are limitations associated with this small qualitative study, the stories shared and themes identified provide important implications for consideration. Further study is needed to design a new system for disaster emergency plans for those on the street. Social workers, who are embedded in disaster prevention and behavioral health services are keenly positioned to help recruit and interview disaster survivors and translate their needs into disaster planning procedural and policy actions at the local and state levels.