October 2024

October

FEMA lacked the funding to adequately support the hurricane season, leaving communities of color with fewer resources to recover. FEMA was only able to provide money for immediate, life-saving needs, stalling non-essential or long-term projects. Studies have shown that after a major disaster, white households in affected counties saw their wealth increase, while Black households in the same area saw a decrease in wealth. Studies have also shown that Black residents were less likely to get a home inspection to secure repair funds

The Impact ..

WHAT DOES FEMA FUNDING MEAN FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR

In a county with $10 Billion in damages

White households gained an average of $126,00 in wealth

Black households lost an average of $27,000 in wealth

With fewer resources and more intense natural disasters, marginalized communities are facing decreased wealth, while struggling to rebuild, combined with systematic challenges that already make it harder for Black Americans to purchase a home.
For example, Black Americans are 1.7 times more likely to be denied a home loan than applicants of other races.
Now, even those who are able to purchase a home, face the instability of losing their home due to a lack of aid

FEMA funds are appropriated by Congress, which has failed to adequately fund the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF).

This problem is also exacerbated by the increasing severity of natural disasters, due to climate change, which Trump has considered a "hoax" and his expanded fossil fuel production and dismantling of clean energy initiatives, further adding to the problem

While Black households struggle to rebuild, many white households see an increase in wealth due to
- Uneven Federal Aid Distribution
- Property Value and Reinvestment
- Targeted Programs (such as FEMA's home buyout initiative)
- Tax Benefits and High-Income Perks

This information serves as an instance of data being eliminated by the Trump administration. It encompasses datasets that were deleted or restricted between mid to late 2025, as part of efforts to obscure the truth and reinforce the administration's misleading claims