How Do Hurricanes and Federal Aid Affect Eviction Risk? Multi-Year Evidence from Coastal U.S. Counties

Renters experience unique social and economic vulnerabilities to natural hazards, including a heightened risk of post-disaster displacement. Despite the important connection between disasters, renter vulnerability, and evictions, there is limited evidence concerning how natural hazards and federal disaster aid interact with renters’ eviction risks. Using a panel dataset (2009–2018), we find that hurricane frequency corresponds to higher eviction filings and eviction threats, caused by inflating rent in the year of a disaster and for up to two years afterward. Four years after a disaster, counties receiving higher amounts of aggregated federal aid are associated with lower eviction filings and threats.