Feature Story

August 20, 2007

Affordable Rental Housing in Healthy Communities: Rebuilding After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Urban Institute:

The devastation and displacement of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to families’ lives and to communities poses a unique set of affordable housing challenges in order for the area to recover. So far, rebuilding has been slow and the prospects for the future are uncertain.

Although everyone who was displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita faces significant housing challenges, the needs of low- and moderate-income renters warrant far more attention than they have thus far received.

Without affordable rental options, many original residents will not be able to return to their communities, lower income households will face the greatest uncertainty and hardship, and the region’s economic recovery is likely to be undermined by the lack of critical workers.

This report is intended to serve as a resource to help inform and invigorate public debate about affordable rental housing policies and to present a set of promising programs and practices that would expand the availability of permanent, affordable rental housing in the ongoing effort to recover from the storms.