Finding Focus: A Look at Disaster Policy Priorities and Proposals

There is growing recognition that our federal disaster assistance system needs reform as existing programs are often burdensome and slow to distribute aid, delaying disaster recoveries. Both the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the federal government’s lead in disaster response, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which manages a long-term disaster recovery grant program, have initiated reforms to make their programs work better for families and communities in need. At the same time, Congress has introduced a handful of legislative proposals—everything from minor procedural tweaks to consolidating programs—aimed at fixing the fragmented assistance system.

Join us for a discussion exploring key reform priorities, evaluating potential policies, and outlining the path toward a more effective, efficient federal disaster assistance system.

Introduction by:

Andy Winkler | Director, Housing and Infrastructure, BPC

Panel discussion featuring:

Stan Gimont | Senior Advisor for Community Recovery, Hagerty Consulting

Naveed Jazayeri | Senior Professional Staff Member, U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Bryan Koon | Chief Executive Officer, IEM

Carlos Martín | Project Director, Remodeling Futures, Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies

Moderated by:

Francis Torres | Senior Policy Analyst, BPC