As Los Angeles begins the long process of rebuilding after recent wildfires, affordable housing providers are taking hard-earned lessons from those who have been through similar disasters, while updating emergency plans and taking steps to reinforce buildings and procedures to prepare for future wildfires.

As disasters increase in frequency and severity, it is more critical than ever to ensure disaster recovery programs are effective and responsive to the needs of impacted communities. Enterprise has long advocated for policies that promote resilience, efficiency, and adaptability in disaster recovery efforts, particularly around the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, which is the only source for federal long-term disaster housing recovery funding.

The earlier we think about rebuilding after the wildfire—and the sooner we ensure that communities prioritize affordability, inclusivity, and resiliency—the more stable and sustainable our outlook.

The Enterprise policy team explains what Congress and the Biden Administration can do to increase affordable housing in the United States.

While the Inflation Reduction Act doesn't focus on housing, the legislative package includes a number of housing-related provisions that, when taken together, can help make homes and communities more green, more affordable, and more climate resilient for the future.