The Consequential Impacts of Natural Disasters on Homelessness

By: Dana Olson | EEqual Content Writer

Through the Misconceptions Surrounding How People Become Homeless, and many various issues surrounding The Health Implications For Those Experiencing Homelessness and Poverty, we can see the major obstacles and impacts of homelessness. However, one that is rarely touched on is the by-product of natural disasters and the implications it has on the unhoused community. 

As recent events unfolded regarding Hurricane Ian and the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria in 2023, many witnessed the life-threatening housing insecurities that spread across these regions. The updates concerning these situations told a story of thousands of individuals displaced, families separated, and a towering death toll. For the communities affected by these tragic natural hazards, questions about the future are pertinent.

According to the latest statistics, at least 2.4 million people were displaced and 24 million people were affected in Turkey and Syria. But these staggering numbers only tell a portion of the whole story. The main cause of the massive damage and death toll throughout Turkey and Syria is their lack of infrastructure. As a consequence of the unstable buildings and scarcity of adequate housing, more than 1 million people are homeless throughout these nations. This distressing issue with infrastructure is found all throughout the globe, not just in these two nations. Unhoused individuals are exposed to severe weather and other climate extremes where they have an insufficient supply of resources or other necessities to survive. The health effects alone, attributed to the exposure to diseases and bacteria in these events, convey the extensive impacts that accompany a natural disaster. The unhoused community is especially affected by these consequences. As Turkey and Syria regain their stance politically and socially, the ramifications of these earthquakes are still apparent after months of recovery. 

Housing isn’t just an issue internationally but also close to home here in the United States. More than 5,000 homes in Southwest Florida were destroyed in the wake of Hurricane Ian. Hundreds of people lost their homes due to the storm surge or the high winds that tore through the state. Families along the coast that suffered this heartbreaking loss either sought housing at shelters or RV parks, though the concern of not having enough space or resources was a major issue at hand for those affected.

As more people lose their homes and are relocated to shelters, access to education becomes a larger concern for families experiencing a lack of housing. The rising homeless population will find that having access to education is becoming more out of reach and inaccessible because of these circumstances. This expanding issue of homelessness across these countries is a clear depiction of How Food and Housing Insecurities Diminish Educational Gains.

At EEqual we strive to make higher education attainable to homeless youth. However, we are not solely working towards a more reliable and inclusive future. Getting rid of the negative stigma around homelessness and keeping people informed about these pressing global issues is imperative. Individuals experiencing homelessness should not be subject to a restrictive life where they can’t achieve higher education goals that are accessible to higher-income citizens. 

Clearly, natural disasters have a long-lasting, ruthless effect on the unhoused community and those forced into homelessness due to their property loss. This is why the work done in EEquals Chapters is so vital regarding the future of unhoused community members and how we, as a collective, can help support these neighbors through difficult times in their lives. We urge you to take action by Donating, Spreading Awareness, and Volunteering as you never know whose future you’re impacting and how that could be a turning point in their lives.  

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