Despite facing disproportionate risks during extreme weather, older adults in subsidized housing are underrepresented in scholarship. Guided by the Aging in the Right Place and Cumulative Disadvantage frameworks, this convergent mixed methods case study used survey (N = 40) and focus group data (N = 26) to understand extreme weather preparedness and response in one Section 202 subsidized housing community. Data were mapped onto the Theory of Planned Behavior across the disaster and risk management cycle using constant-comparison analysis. Survey respondents, on average, were 71 years old; 78% were female, with 80% earning under USD 20,000 annually. Most respondents (54%) reported being somewhat or very concerned about extreme weather events, and fewer than 30% had discussed emergency preparedness with neighbors and friends. Qualitative data highlighted the importance of emergency preparedness, especially for isolated residents, notions of self-reliance, and care for neighbors in subsidized housing communities. Integrating quantitative and qualitative data yielded a conceptual model of extreme weather preparedness and response in subsidized housing to guide social work practice and policy. The built environment, information sources, and social connections influenced attitudes and actions related to extreme weather preparedness and response. Findings are critical for co-developing community-informed disaster plans, especially among older adults in low-income housing.
Rao et al. (Fri,) studied this question.