Study finds Black communities receive less disaster relief support

Natural disasters devastate indiscriminately, but federal relief efforts often leave communities of color behind. A report from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Atmospheric Programs highlights that communities of color are among the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Yet when disaster strikes, Black Americans and their neighborhoods consistently receive less aid than their white counterparts, underscoring a systemic gap in disaster relief.

A recent study reveals that Black communities receive significantly less financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) than white communities. This inequity is tied to FEMA’s reliance on property values and tax assessments to calculate aid. These criteria are deeply rooted in a history of discriminatory practices like redlining, which excluded Black Americans from homeownership and led to the underdevelopment of predominantly Black neighborhoods.

For much of the 20th century, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) explicitly denied insurance to Black families, relegating them to segregated areas with poor infrastructure and environmental protections. These policies have left Black communities with lower property values and fewer financial resources, resulting in reduced FEMA payouts.

Disparities in disaster relief are glaring. Research shows that in counties hit by disasters, white residents receive an average of $126,000 in federal aid, while Black residents receive just $27,000. The gap extends to insurance as well. Homeowner insurance typically provides more comprehensive coverage, yet 56% of Black Americans rent their homes compared to 16% of white Americans, limiting their access to adequate compensation. Renters insurance, by contrast, often offers less robust support, leaving many Black renters struggling to rebuild after disasters.

Hurricane Harvey in 2017 offers a stark example. Although communities of color in Houston were disproportionately affected, only 13% of Black residents had their FEMA applications approved, compared to 34% of white residents, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report. Similar patterns are expected to worsen as climate change intensifies. Experts predict a 40% higher flood risk in areas with predominantly Black populations along the Gulf Coast, Southeast, and Texas in the coming years.

The systemic barriers in disaster relief are not lost on federal agencies. In 2021, FEMA implemented reforms following an executive order from President Joe Biden aimed at addressing inequities in federal programs. By simplifying the eligibility process and re-prioritizing casework, FEMA enabled 124,000 disaster survivors to access over $709 million in aid they would have otherwise been denied.

While these reforms mark progress, significant challenges remain. Insurance premiums, which often correlate with disaster risk, are higher in urban areas with larger Black populations, further exacerbating disparities. Without addressing the root causes of why certain communities face greater risks, these inequities are likely to persist.

Natural disasters are expected to become more severe and frequent due to climate change, making equitable relief efforts more critical than ever. Bridging the gap in disaster relief requires more than incremental changes; it demands a reevaluation of how aid is distributed and an acknowledgment of the systemic factors that have left Black communities at a disadvantage for decades.

For Black communities, fair disaster relief is about more than rebuilding homes—it’s about dismantling longstanding barriers and ensuring a future where all Americans receive the support they need to recover and thrive.