Weather and Aging Resilient Model (W.A.R.M.) for Affordable Housing

Background and Purpose:

The literature on disaster and climate vulnerability identifies multiple social factors that increase individual or community susceptibility to harm from extreme weather events. Older adults and people with disabilities, especially those with lower incomes and in precarious housing conditions, face heightened risks during extreme weather events and disasters. This study examines how older adults in affordable housing experience extreme weather, and roles and experiences of service coordinators in preparedness and response.

Methods:

Utilizing a mixed methods community-based participatory case-study design, we conducted a cross-sectional survey (N=40) and focus group (N=26) with residents in one senior affordable housing property in Central Ohio. Another survey (N = 8) and focus group (N = 11) included service coordinators and supervisors working within eight affordable housing properties in the Central Ohio region. We derived descriptive statistics for survey data and conducted a thematic analysis for qualitative data from the focus group discussions.

Results:

A third of the respondents in the affordable housing property reported fair or poor health, and over half (53%) did not drive or have access to a car. Most (73%) had experienced extreme weather events, with snow/ice storms and hurricanes being most common and extreme heat the most recent. Nearly 70% reported having experienced power outages; the average outage lasted a week, and 40% did not have an evacuation plan. Service coordinators reported experiencing extreme heat, fire, and severe snow/ice, and few had advance warning to prepare their residents for extreme weather. Thirty-eight percent reported having lost power in their buildings, and only half had reliable information and communications during these events. Seventy-five percent were somewhat or very concerned about disasters, and the same number reported that their residents were not prepared for disasters. Seventy-five percent lacked any emergency preparedness training, and 63% were not confident in their ability to evacuate residents. A thematic analysis of focus group discussions among residents and coordinators revealed challenges in communication, transportation, sheltering in place, reliability of power sources, and concerns about evacuation.

Conclusions and Implications:

Findings reveal specific barriers to emergency preparedness among older adults and persons with disabilities in affordable housing and demonstrate areas of intervention. Insights from service coordinators, a key group of professionals working to support individuals in affordable housing, also showcase the importance of including current service landscapes in regional emergency preparedness and planning efforts toward improved social and health outcomes. These findings are critical for the co-development of a community-informed regional disaster preparedness plan with a focus on individuals in affordable housing communities.