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Disaster Risk Reduction and Energy Efficient Housing in Rebuilding Efforts
Paige Rutkowski
University of Kentucky
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Abstract
Substandard housing is not only a global concern, but has also expanded to a national and local
level. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that provides affordable and sustainable housing
for low-income families. It has a local branch in Lexington as well as nationwide and
international locations. While the primary goal is to provide shelter for those in need, the
organization has begun to give attention to rebuilding efforts that follow natural disasters. It also
takes this opportunity to educate new homeowners in order to reduce the risk of problems should
disaster complications return. Using research and examples, this essay will elaborate on the
importance of disaster risk reduction, as well as suggest ways to further improve the housing
provided as part of the rebuilding process.
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Disaster Risk Reduction and Energy Efficient Housing in Rebuilding Efforts
Habitat for Humanity International is a global organization that addresses housing issues,
homelessness and refugee assistance throughout the world. Its main focus is to provide homes to
low income families. The families are chosen when they meet specific criteria which include
financial need, willingness to work with the programs that Habitat provides, and ability to repay
the loan. In Lexington, Habitat for Humanity housing is being provided for refugee families from
outside the United States, in addition to those in need in the immediate area. A second area of the
organization works nationwide and worldwide to rebuild homes following natural disasters.
Significant efforts include New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, Haiti following the 2010
earthquake, and India following the 2004 tsunami. Not only does the organization provide
housing for those in need, but it also assists in the education of homeowners in disaster
preparedness. This portion of Habitat’s efforts tends to be overlooked in areas where disasters
have not recently occurred, however greater emphasis should be placed on the aspect of disaster
relief, known as risk reduction, in order to prepare homeowners for potential future
complications.
Risk reduction is defined by the UN as a systematic approach to identifying, assessing
and reducing the risks of natural disasters (“What is Disaster Risk Reduction?”). It includes steps
such as “introducing shelter design adaptations, mainstreaming disaster preparedness, and
developing community-based disaster risk management programs” (“Disaster Risk Reduction”).
The concept of disaster preparedness is especially important in areas recovering from a recent
disaster. For example, following flooding, earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, or tornadoes,
homes that are rebuilt should include design changes that prevent against further damage should
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the event occur again. “Risk reduction looks not only at the cost to human life but also at the cost
to basic necessities, such as housing or agriculture” (Crutchfield, 2013).
Natural disasters happen
more frequently than most
realize. The media generally
gives attention to the large,
devastating events such as floods,
earthquakes, or high EF
tornadoes. However, smaller
versions of these events occur almost daily and still cause damage to local housing. In areas like
Lexington, Kentucky, devastating natural disasters are uncommon, but the state of Kentucky
itself lies on the Madrid fault line (see map above), which can produce up to 200 earthquakes per
year (Clarke, 2010). The Habitat for Humanity build sites near this area should work to reduce
the risk of major disaster by making the homes more resistant to earthquake damage. In addition,
to better prepare a given community in the event of dangerous storms or tornadoes, a weather
radar alert system could be installed as a standard feature in homes built in tornado alley, or in
areas where hurricanes, tsunamis or typhoons are common. Implementing these simple steps to
prepare the community for a natural disaster could not only save the lives of citizens, but also
reduce the cost of housing damage. These changes would fulfill the need for shelter design
adaptations and streamlined disaster preparedness described in the purposes of disaster risk
reduction.
In addition to disaster recovery and risk reduction, Habitat for Humanity should also
address the use of energy efficient housing in general. Such practices have been put into place
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following destructive storms, most
notably in Greensburg, Kansas. In
May 2007, the town was devastated by
an EF-5 tornado. Despite this
overwhelming setback, the citizens
saw it as an opportunity to improve
upon the buildings in town and work
toward a more energy efficient
community that makes use of greenhouses, solar panels, and more (see image above of the
Greensburg Hospital wind turbine, which is used to generate power for the hospital). Energy
efficient homes in particular often include thicker windows, water saving toilet and washer
designs, special insulation, and the use of LED or CFL light bulbs instead of normal
incandescent bulbs. Lynn Billman of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory stated that
while “there might be a small increase up front with the mortgage cost…[homeowners will] have
a lower monthly cash outlay because utility bills will be lower” (Bazar, 2008). Such simple
changes are important, especially because in the long run it keeps housing costs manageable for
the low income families which are served by Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity addresses the basic human necessity for safe shelter and adequate
housing in many areas around the world. From providing homes for the homeless and repairs for
low-income families with substandard housing, to helping refugees realize their American dream
and assisting in the rebuilding efforts following a disaster, the organization is working hard to
solve the housing crisis that reaches to nearly every corner of the globe. Their world vision and
end goal is to provide housing for as many families as possible, but the organization should also
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place more emphasis on the building designs for each home. According to Habitat for Humanity
International’s 2012 Shelter Report, adequate housing following a natural disaster “also tends to
facilitate other aspects of recovery”. By including energy efficient and environmentally friendly
features, designing homes that can withstand natural disasters common to the area, and
implementing disaster preparedness programs, Habitat for Humanity along with many other
outreach organizations will be able to provide safe and affordable housing for all of the families
and refugees that are assisted in the programs.
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Sources
Bazar, E. (2008, May 2). Tornado-ravaged Kansas town rebuilds 'green' Retrieved October 15,
2014, from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-05-01-greensburg_N.htm
Clarke, S. (2010, January 18). Most U.S. States Have Earthquake Risk; Major Fault Lines Cross
Country. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/HaitiEarthquake/haiti-earthquake-us-fault-lines-happenamerica/story?id=9587272
Crutchfield, M. (2013, March). Phases of Disaster Recovery: Emergency Response for the Long
Term. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from http://www.umcmission.org/FindResources/New-World-Outlook-Magazine/2013/March-April-2013/0430-Phases-ofDisaster-Recovery-Emergency-Response-for-the-Long-Term
Disaster Risk Reduction. (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from
http://www.habitat.org/disaster/mitigation_preparedness
Habitat for Humanity International's 2012 Shelter Report highlights disaster planning and longterm recovery. (2011, October 6). Retrieved October 15, 2014, from
http://www.habitat.org/newsroom/2011archive/10_06_2011_hfh_shelter_report.aspx
What is Disaster Risk Reduction? (n.d.). Retrieved October 21, 2014, from
http://www.unisdr.org/who-we-are/what-is-drr