Trump Administration Undermining Disaster Recovery Funds
In December 2024, state and local governments received disaster recovery funds to address the impact of extreme weather on affordable housing, local economies, and public infrastructure. These funds, known as Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR), administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), have the potential to transform communities positively. However, the Trump administration is already undermining this valuable investment program.
Challenges in Recovery
Recovery outcomes are not guaranteed, especially with the increasing politicization of disaster recovery. One way to counter this politicization is through robust local involvement in recovery programs from design to implementation. A recent memo from the Trump administration clarified points of confusion and rescinded previous guidance to state and local governments influenced by years of advocacy from disaster survivors.
Currently, state and local governments, known as grantees, are submitting draft recovery plans to the federal government for initial approval. Public comment periods will follow once plans are approved by HUD. Residents in impacted communities are encouraged to engage in the public comment process to shape recovery plans and emphasize the importance of resilience.
As plans are being submitted, it is essential to track how they address housing and infrastructure needs and potential political interference in the recovery programs.
Executive Orders and Recovery
HUD Secretary Scott Turner recently rejected the City of Asheville’s recovery plan for Hurricane Helene funds due to its mention of supporting minority and women-owned businesses conflicting with President Trump’s executive order on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Cities and states navigating recovery efforts should not have to balance recovery needs against legally questionable executive orders to access critical funds.
In addition to the diversity and inclusion executive order, HUD is also enforcing compliance with the executive order on English as the Official Language of the United States. This could further hinder non-English speakers’ access to recovery resources, highlighting the importance of equity in disaster recovery.
It is crucial to remember that federal laws passed by Congress supersede executive orders, and recovery funds allocated for six years require a long-term commitment to the recovery process.
Empowering Communities in Recovery
Survivors from various states have demonstrated the power of residents in shaping state, local, and national recovery processes. As authoritarianism rises, there may be risks associated with engaging in recovery processes, but the urgency of getting recovery and mitigation right in the face of ongoing climate challenges cannot be understated.
