Connections Among Individual- and Community-Level Housing Characteristics and Disaster Preparedness in a National Sample of Low-Income U.S. Adults

Low-income and aging populations face heightened risks from natural disasters, yet report lower disaster preparedness. Although both individual and community-level social vulnerability factors are identified as contributors to disaster preparedness, little attention has been paid to the role of housing characteristics. This study examined associations between individual- and community-level housing characteristics and disaster preparedness among low-income adults, and how age moderated associations. We merged data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) 2021–2023 National Household Surveys with the Centers for Disease Control and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s (CDC/ATSDR) community-level Social Vulnerability Index. Multilevel models examined associations between housing characteristics (housing type, ownership, crowding, and cost) and individuals’ perceived, actual, and financial disaster preparedness. Results showed that renters reported lower perceived and financial preparedness than homeowners. Residents in multi-unit buildings and mobile homes reported lower financial preparedness than individuals in single-unit homes. Those residing in communities with more crowded units and mobile homes reported lower disaster preparedness. Conversely, higher housing cost burden was unexpectedly associated with higher financial preparedness. Analyses assessing age moderation revealed that older adults generally showed heightened links between housing characteristics and disaster preparedness. Results inform community-based strategies seeking to develop age-responsive interventions and empower residents to build community resilience and reduce disaster risk among low-income individuals and communities.