Housing Post-Harvey, What Progress Has Been Made?

McFadden says Houston’s low-income residents were concentrated in the flood-prone areas.

HOUSTON—One year after Hurricane Harvey, there’s been progress, but long-term success will require close partnership among businesses, nonprofits, philanthropists, and local, state and federal government, Marion McFadden, senior vice president of policy with Enterprise Community Partners tells GlobeSt.com. Recovery funds should be used to rebuild in a more resilient way, preparing for a future of growing risks from extreme weather, she says.

“The city council’s requirement to elevate properties in the flood plain is an important example of that kind of change,” McFadden observes. “We need to pay particular attention to low-income communities. Houston’s low-income residents were more concentrated in flood-prone parts of the city and have fewer resources to help them rebuild their lives after the storm.”