Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: There were different target audiences for this project period depending on the particular activity. Target audiences for mobile home park planning activities included mobile home park residents, mobile home park owners and emergency management directors. Presentations on research related to the project targeted emergency management directors, local emergency planning committee members, regional planners, non-profit and government housing agencies and police, fire and emergency medical service responders. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Three project staff, including the PI, the project coordinator and the primary project partner attended and received training in the Department of Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program at both the basic and advanced levels. One project member also attended the Vermont Emergency Management's training on facilitation, and all three were trained by Vermont Emergency Management in the design, conduct and control of both table top and field emergency planning exercises. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? To ensure that mobile home park residentsreceived the results of this project, staff met directly with mobile home park residents through in-park meetings, and gave presentations to groups of mobile home park and affordable housing residents. For one presentation we asked one of the mobile home park leaders who was active in the emergency planning exercises to join us as a co-presenter, with very positive results. Project partner CVOEO includes materials created from this project in their outreach efforts directly with mobile home park residents. Data and results from the project have also formed the basis for several undergraduate courses taught at the University of Vermont during the project period. Project findings were presented to the Vermont legislature, along with a substantial report, contributing to new legislation to reduce risk and increase the resiliency of mobile home park residents. This project resulted in 1 journal article, 1 state report, 2 websites and databases on mobile home park vulnerabilities, 12 conference presentations, workshops and trainings for 4 local emergency planning committees (LEPC's) and 4 presentations by two project staff to House and Senate committee of the Vermont Legislature that contributed to the adoption of new law increasing the safety and resilience of mobile home park residents in Vermont. Additional public communication about the project, the vulnerability of mobile home parks, and the importance of building resilience to disaster was accomplished through multiple public television and public radio interviews or presentations. We also found mobile home park planning committees disseminating information about the project through their local newsletters. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goals and Achievements: Goal 1: Identify vulnerabilities to disasters facing rural mobile home park communities in the State of Vermont, including both physical and socio-economic elements that contribute to vulnerability and compromise resilience. Objective 1.1: Develop and implement a methodology to screen mobile home park communities for physical hazards using GIS and other existing databases. Objective 1.2: Use the 2010 US Census and other databases to screen communities for socio-economic elements that contribute to vulnerability and resilience. Objective 1.3: Develop an index and prioritize the vulnerability of mobile home park communities in Vermont. Objective 1.4: Develop a statewide web-based database of vulnerabilities at mobile home parks that can be used to develop park-scale emergency management and hazard mitigation plans that can be integrated into municipal emergency management plans. Achievements for Goal 1: A methodology was developed to screen mobile home parks for vulnerabilities. We used GIS, census data, park surveys and other existing hazard databases to assess the relative vulnerabilities of mobile home parks in Vermont. This statewide database is published and in use by the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development on their website in addition to the project website. The research also resulted in new GIS databases of mobile home parks in Vermont and their relative flood risk. More than 20% of parks had at least one house lot in a flood hazard zone, more than 30% of parks had land in a flood hazard zone, and nearly 12% of all mobile home house lots in parks were found to be located in a flood hazard zone. The GIS methodology used in the study, as well as the social and public communication issues related to the presentation of public risk data was presented to regional and GIS planners and published in a journal article. A statewide survey was completed evaluating a representative sample of all residents with regard to their emergency preparedness. A statewide sample of mobile home park residents were surveyed about their awareness and preparation for disaster. One finding, for example, was that only 30% of mobile home park residents reported their home was tied-down, and more than 20% of mobile homes in parks were built before the 1976 HUD code. A framework for prioritizing mobile home park vulnerability was developed and published in a report for the Vermont Agency of Housing and Community Development. A database of Vermont's mobile home parks and their vulnerabilities including flooding, erosion, and infrastructure was built and is currently published on the project website and the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development website. Goal 2: Increase involvement of low-income rural residents of mobile home parks in emergency management planning. Objective 2.1: Evaluate resident perceptions of vulnerability to hazards and the EMS by surveying residents at mobile home parks about their perceived risks and constraints to greater involvement in hazard mitigation and resilience planning. Objective 2.2: Develop a disaster mitigation and planning guide for mobile home parks that includes a rapid response emergency management plan template and planning process. Objective 2.3: Involve mobile home park resident associations and owners in completing and evaluating the rapid response plans and planning process. Achievements for Goal 2: The project led to the development of an emergency planning template and planning process for mobile home parks to increase the resilience to disaster. These templates were used to prepare two representative mobile home parks to participate in the 2014 statewide catastrophic emergency planning exercise. The two parks, one large (>100 homes) and one small (14 homes) used the plan in a table top exercises and then a full-scale field exercise. These exercises were conducted in partnership with Vermont Emergency Management. Goal 3: Increase knowledge of disaster vulnerabilities and emergency planning for mobile home park residents and owners, planning officials, local governments, and emergency management officials. Objective 3.1: Assess existing municipal emergency management plans for their approach to addressing vulnerabilities of mobile home parks within their jurisdiction. Objective 3.2: Conduct a statewide survey on awareness of emergency management and resilience strategies. Objective 3.3: Regionally disseminate information about hazards, vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies to stakeholders statewide. Objective 3.4: Implement a statewide process to involve stakeholders and residents in identifying opportunities and barriers to improving resilience in mobile home parks and improving integration into existing disaster management plans. The project will produce manuals on emergency management planning for mobile home parks along with a template for developing park-scale plans. Information for community plans will be available on a web-based database. This is will strengthen the statewide emergency management system by building local capacity and integrating low-income mobile home residents into the system. The project will result in better information about statewide, as well as park-scale understanding how to reduce the likelihood of disaster. Project findings will be disseminated through stakeholder meetings, popular press, websites, journal articles and conferences. Achievements for Goal 3: Project staff evaluated existing municipal emergency plans for inclusion and recognition of mobile home parks and related vulnerabilities in their plans, finding that less than 20% of municipalities with mobile home parks included those parks in their emergency plans. A publically available website was developed for the project that includes mobile home park maps, park profiles, a summary of park demographics, and emergency management templates to assist parks increase their resilience to disaster. This project resulted in 1 journal article, 1 state report, 2 websites and databases on mobile home park vulnerabilities, 12 conference presentations, workshops and trainings for 4 local emergency planning committees (LEPC's) and 4 presentations by two project staff to House and Senate committee of the Vermont Legislature that contributed to the adoption of new law increasing the safety and resilience of mobile home park residents in Vermont. Additional public communication about the project, the vulnerability of mobile home parks, and the importance of building resilience to disaster was accomplished through multiple public television and public radio presentations. We also found mobile home park planning committees disseminating information about the project through their local newsletters. Two additional journal articles are being prepared, the first documenting the process and lessons learned from implementing emergency planning processes in mobile home parks, and the second reporting on a study of waste management issues related to mobile homes destroyed during disaster. An outcome of the project has also been increased awareness of vulnerabilities related to older mobile homes, particularly their low-energy efficiency. This, combined with the results of our analysis finding many of these homes located in areas prone to flooding resulted in a statewide and multi-agency committee looking to improve the quality of this housing. Project staff are members of this committee and have contributed research findings from this project to this committee.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Baker, D., S. Hamshaw, K. Hamshaw. (2014) Rapid Flood Exposure Assessment of Vermont Mobile Home Parks Following Tropical Storm Irene. Natural Hazards Review. 15:1, 27-37
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Baker, D., Hamshaw, K., Lowry, D. (2014) Role of Emergency Management in Mobile Home Parks. Presentation to the International Association of Emergency Managers. San Antonio, TX. Nov. 17, 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Baker, D., Hamshaw, K., Woodward, S. (2014) Lessons from Vermonts CAT2 for Emergency Preparedness for Mobile Home Park Communities. Presented at the Vermont Emergency Management Conference. Fairlee, VT Sept. 18, 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Hamshaw, S. and Baker, D. (2014) Access To, and Use Of, Maps in Community Planning. Presented at the Vermont GIS Mapping Forum. Colchester, VT June 11, 2014
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Woodward, S, Furman, D.,(2014) Operation Burning House: Community Emergency Planning. Presentation at the Resident-Controlled Housing Coalition. Champlain Housing Trust. Burlington, VT. April 12, 2014
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Emergency managers and planners, mobile home park residents, regional planners, housing authorities, affordable housing advocates Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? PI and research specialists attended trainings in emergency exercise evaluation and conduct of emergency preparedness exercises.Research specialist was able to attend a conference where we presented a research poster . How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Journal articles, posters, professional presentations to academics, housing authorities and emergency management specialists. Contributed to testimony before state legislature. Prepared report for state economic development and housing agency. Meetings with local emergency planning committees. Meetings with mobile home park resident committees. Preparation of "lay person" summaries of project results posted on a website we developed for this purpose. Participation in several multi-agency working groups seeking to increase resilience to disasters and improve mobile home housing quality. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Finalize the database and disseminate through the website. Present results of emergency planning exercises at a conference, Begin work on next journal article. Continue multi-agency work on improvements to mobile home quality and emergency response. Prepare guidance documents for mobile home residents to assist in increasing their resilience to disaster. Assist two mobile home parks participate in the 2014 statewide emergency planning exercise.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Mobile home parks provide critical affordable housing options for low-income residents in rural areas of the United States. The majority of these parks were built before environmental regulations or land use planning was in place. Consequently, many parks are located in areas vulnerable to natural hazards, such as flooding, where mitigation would have been required if permitted today. The combination of low incomes, relatively high population densities, and poor site planning increases the vulnerability of mobile home parks to a wide range of disasters. The primary goal of this three-year research proposal is to increase the resilience to disasters of mobile home parks in the rural state of Vermont using an action-research approach, and builds upon more than five years of prior collaborative research with mobile home park communities. Disaster resilience for residents will be increased through hazard identification, community organization, emergency planning, and improved coordination between key stakeholders such as resident associations, the emergency management system, affordable housing institutions and governmental agencies. This research project uses existing and new data to evaluate and increase the emergency preparedness of mobile home parks in the state of Vermont. Using statewide and park-scale surveys, integrated into a participatory action research framework, the project will build the capacity of low income communities to respond to disaster. Since the beginning of the project Tropical Storm Irene and the spring flooding in 2011 exposed the vulnerabilities of mobile home parks in Vermont when 154 mobile homes in parks were destroyed. In an article the project research team published in 2013 overlay analysis revealed that 31.9 percent of all mobile home parks in the state have some of their land in floodplains, and that 20.2 percent of all mobile home parks have at least one house in the floodplain. Statewide, our assessment found 11.7 percent of mobile homes in parks are in flood plains. A key element in this assessment was an existing GIS dataset showing the location and E911 addresses of residences, an outcome of Vermonts decision to geolocate all residences in the state and make that dataset publically available. Similar data is available in most states but has not been made public. The research demonstrated the benefits to policy-makers and emergency planners of creating and making available accurate E911 GIS databases of residences. The application of this exposure assessment to increase the resiliency of mobile home parks to flooding is discussed. In addition to a published journal article, this research has been disseminated through presentations at emergency management conferences in and outside of Vermont, housing conferences as well as numerous meetings with local emergency planning committees (LEPC). A website has been developed to share project information and a database documenting Vermont mobile home park vulnerabilities will be available in Jan. 2014. Currently, the project is working with two mobile home parks to develop and exercise park-scale emergency response plans.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Baker, D., S. Hamshaw, K. Hamshaw (2014) Rapid Flood Exposure Assessment of Vermont Mobile Home Parks Following Tropical Storm Irene. Natural Hazards Review. 15:1, 27-37
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Luciano,P., Baker, D., Hamshaw, K. and Riegler, N. (2013) Report on the Viability and Disaster Resilience of Mobile Home Ownership and Parks. Vermont Dept. of Housing and Community Development. Montpelier, VT
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Baker, D.,Hamshaw, K., Woodward, S. (2013) Emergency Preparedness for Vermonts Mobile Home Park Communities. Presented at the Vermont Emergency Management Conference. Fairlee, VT Oct. 18, 2013
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Baker, D., Hamshaw, K., Hamshaw, S. (2013) Building Resilience to Disaster: Learning from the Experience of Vermonts Mobile Home Parks in Tropical Storm Irene. Poster Presentation at the Hazards Research & Applications Workshop. Natural Hazards Center. Boulder, CO. July 2013
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Baker, D. (2012) Resilience as a Strategy for Change in Vermonts Mobile Home Parks. Presented at the Regional Adaptation to Climate Change Scenario Development Workshop. Burlington, VT. November 13, 2012
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Mobile home parks provide critical affordable housing options for low-income residents in rural areas of the United States. The majority of these parks were built before environmental regulations or land use planning was in place for site evaluation. Consequently, many parks are located in areas vulnerable to natural hazards. The combination of low incomes, relatively high population densities, and poor site planning increases the vulnerability of mobile home parks to a wide range of disasters. The primary goal of this research project is to increase the disaster resiliency of Vermonts mobile home parks using a participatory action-research approach. Disaster resilience for residents will be increased through hazard identification, community organization, emergency planning, and improved coordination between key stakeholders. Using existing datasets and new statewide and park-scale surveys, the project builds the capacity of low income communities to prepare and respond to disaster. Strategies to increase participation in emergency management by low-income individuals are being developed, addressing a critical need identified in the literature. Since the project began in September 2010, 19 mobile home parks have sustained damages from the Spring 2011 flooding and flooding from Tropical Storm Irene destroying more than 150 homes. In the wake of these events, we have documented the effects and impacts on these communities through our partnerships with the CVOEO Mobile Home Program, Vermont Dept. of Housing, the Agency of Natural Resources, the Lieutenant Governors Office, Vermont Association of General Contractors, Champlain Housing Trust, Vermont Housing and Conversation Board and local long-term recovery committees. Immediately after the storm, we provided staff support to document and supervise the deconstruction of 68 flooded mobile homes. In February, we hosted a forum that brought together key stakeholders to discuss strategies for creating more resilient mobile home parks post-Irene. We completed a statewide survey of 363 residents from a representative sample of 127 parks that investigated resident disaster awareness and preparedness practices and collected demographic data.. We also conducted a rapid GIS assessment of flood vulnerabilities of all parks in Vermont and shared these findings with the Dept of Housing, Vermont Emergency Management, Local Emergency Planning Committees, and Local Emergency Management Directors. We have shared our findings through our project website (www.uvm.edu/~cdaemhp), presentations at Local Emergency Planning Committee meetings, and presented at the Vermont Emergency Preparedness Conference. The P.I. provided testimony about mobile home parks vulnerabilities to Vermont legislative committees. We will host regional meetings in communities across the state next year, and publish Building Resiliency guidebooks and launch an online database with park-specific emergency management data intended for park residents, owners, and emergency planners. The research will be included in the update of Vermonts hazard mitigation plan as well as local mitigation plans. PARTICIPANTS: Dan Baker, PI/PD Kelly Hamshaw, Research Specialist/Coordinator Champlain Valley Office of Economic Development Mobile Home Program TARGET AUDIENCES: Mobile Home Park residents, owners and managers Affordable housing agencies and non-profits Hazard mitigation agencies Local emergency planning committees PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: With approval from the funder we assisted mobile home parks with disaster response following Tropical Storm Irene including data management related to waste removal
Impacts
The 2011 floods illustrated the vulnerabilities of Vermont mobile home parks. This research project has contributed research on risks and how communities recover from these events. We completed a rapid flood hazard assessment of all parks in the state. We found that more than one fifth of Vermonts 248 parks have at least one lot located in a flood hazard area and that nearly 12% of all mobile home lots in parks are located in a flood hazard area. Mobile homes in parks have a greater vulnerability to flooding compared to mobile homes on private land (6%) and single family homes (4%). Identification of other hazards, such as seismic risk and proximity to hazardous, is underway. This hazard analysis is useful to stakeholders includingpark residents, park owners, affordable housing advocates, local governments and state policymakers. This analysis will enable more proactive emergency planning and preparedness for mobile home park communities. The research outcomes of this project will be included in the Vermont Hazard Mitigation Plan. To understand the disaster awareness and preparedness practices of park residents as well as gather key demographic data, we conducted a representative statewide survey of 363 park residents from 127 different parks. We found that the average park resident has lived in their park for 12 years. Half of residents surveyed are considered to either be extremely low or very low income according to guidelines set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. More than one third (37%) of the households surveyed had at least one resident over the age of 65. Forty-one percent of households reported having at least one person with a health condition or disability that would be a concern in an emergency situation. Less than one third of respondents reporting knowing if their home was tied down or anchored to its lot. Most residents reported having at least 72 hours worth of food and water stored in their home (85%), fewer had a household emergency plan (45%), back-up power source (30%), and a household disaster kit (28%). We will be comparing the findings from this park resident to the results of the 2012 Vermonter Poll where we posed similar questions to analyze if there are any significant differences between park residents and the state as a whole. We are comparing responses between 2012 and 2011 to assess the impact Tropical Storm Irene had any impact on Vermonters disaster awareness and preparedness practices. As Vermont experiences increasingly severe storm events, it is important to consider potential risks to these affordable housing communities and seek community-based strategies for increasing resilience.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Mobile home parks provide critical affordable housing options for low-income residents in rural areas of the United States. The majority of these parks were built before environmental regulations or land use planning was in place for site evaluation. Consequently, many parks are located in areas vulnerable to natural hazards, such as flooding, where mitigation would have been required if permitted today. The combination of low incomes, relatively high population densities, and poor site planning increases the vulnerability of mobile home parks to a wide range of disasters. The primary goal of this three-year research proposal is to increase the resilience to disasters of mobile home parks in the rural state of Vermont using an action-research approach, and builds upon more than five years of collaborative research with mobile home park communities. Disaster resilience for residents will be increased through hazard identification, community organization, emergency planning, and improved coordination between key stakeholders such as resident associations, the emergency management system, affordable housing institutions and governmental agencies. This research project will use existing and new data to evaluate and increase the emergency preparedness of mobile home parks in the state of Vermont. Using statewide and park-scale surveys, integrated into a participatory action research framework, the project will build the capacity of low income communities to respond to disaster. A database of emergency management information scaled for mobile home park communities will be developed and made available to park residents and owners, as well as municipal officials and the regional emergency management system. A series of guides for improving disaster resiliency within park communities will be created for park residents, park owners, and local planning stakeholders. Strategies to increase participation in emergency management planning by low-income individuals will be explored, addressing a critical need identified in the literature. Since the project began in September 2010, 17 mobile home parks have sustained damages from the Spring 2011 flooding and flooding from Tropical Storm Irene destroying more than 150 homes. As a result of this current situation we are documenting the effects and impacts of these events, including providing documentation for the deconstruction of the destroyed mobile homes in partnership with the CVOEO Mobile Home Project, the Vermont Association of General Contractors, and the Lieutenant Governors Office. A number of possible research questions have been identified as a result of Irene during both the initial response and longer term recovery phases. We will work with a variety of partners and stakeholders to continue investigating the impacts of these events on Vermont mobile home parks throughout the next year. We have been providing data and information to Local Emergency Planning Committees through presentations as well as participating in conversations with affordable housing advocates and organizations. PARTICIPANTS: Daniel Baker, PhD, Principal Investigator. Dr. Baker has overseen all aspects of this research project including supervising the project staff and the development of the statewide survey of Vermonters and the statewide resident survey of mobile home park residents. He is also responsible for overseeing research methods, data analysis and dissemination of results through presentations and publications. Kelly Hamshaw, MS, Research Specialist. Ms. Hamshaw coordinates the day-to-day aspects of the research project, including managing communications, project logistics, development of survey instruments, and conducting fieldwork. She also provides supervision for the graduate research assistant and works closely with staff from the collaborating partner agency to develop the Building Resiliency Guides. Ms. Hamshaw also contributes to data analysis and dissemination of results. Jonathan Bond, BS, Graduate Research Assistant. Mr. Bond has been primarily responsible for managing and analyzing the data from the Vermonter Poll telephone survey and reviewing literature related to disasters and vulnerable populations. The Mobile Home Project at the Champlain Valley Office of Economic Opportunity is a formal project partner to the UVM research team. Staff members at the Mobile Home Project have been developing the series of Building Resiliency Guides as well as assisting with the development of the statewide resident survey. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
The flooding events of 2011 have illustrated the vulnerabilities of Vermont mobile home parks and this research project has been able to engage in the ongoing dialogue of how these communities recover from these events. Preliminary GIS analysis using the best available floodplain data shows that approximately 25 percent of Vermont mobile home parks are sited within 100 year floodplains, including 13 of the 15 parks that sustained heavy damages during Tropical Storm Irene. We will continue identifying other hazards to parks in Year 2 of this project. This hazard analysis should be of interest to a variety of stakeholders including, but not limited to, park residents, park owners, affordable housing advocates, local governments and state policymakers. We hope that this analysis will enable more proactive emergency planning and preparedness for mobile home park communities. We are also in the process of comparing statewide preparedness and that of mobile home park residents. The statewide survey (n=596) found that about 1/3 of respondents believed themselves to be prepared for an emergency. The remaining 2/3, while not assessing themselves as prepared did report activities that are generally recommended for disaster preparedness, e.g. 78% had enough food and water for at least 72 hours. The survey also found that prior to Tropical Storm Irene most Vermonters viewed flooding as an unlikely event relative to other potential disasters. In the Fall 2011 we are asking similar questions of mobile home park residents throughout the state and have currently completed more than 120 resident surveys. This survey activity is expected to be completed in Dec. 2011 and the analysis by Feb. 2012.
Publications
- Baker, D., K. Hamshaw, C. Beach. (2011) Facilitating Change in Rural Mobile Home Parks A Collaborative Action Research Approach. Journal of Rural and Community Development
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