Across the nation, heatwaves, droughts and floods have become more frequent and more severe, increasing risks to people, homes and infrastructure. Between 2011 and 2013, the U.S. experienced 32 weather events that each caused at least one billion dollars in damages, and two-thirds of counties nationwide had presidentially declared disasters.
Low-income communities are on the front lines of this damage, and they continue to be the most vulnerable. From the Chicago heatwave of 1995 that led to 739 deaths to Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy, these areas are often the first victims of extreme weather and the last to recover from devastation. Short-term displacement can lead to long-term homelessness, temporary business closures can lead to a neighborhood-level economic downturn, and disruption of community services can lead to an extended loss of service continuity. Each of these consequences increases public costs and compounds the health and economic challenges from which low-income communities disproportionately suffer.
Investing in at-risk communities before disaster strikes is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect residents and property while strengthening their ability to weather the severe storms ahead. Enterprise Community Partners’ Resilient Communities Initiative seeks to strengthen communities and residents so they are better prepared for, and able to respond to, extreme weather events and other emergencies.
In our session, we will be reviewing how to future proof your residential facility. We will provide an overview of the strategies from the Enterprise Strategies for Building Resilience and how they can be apportioned to a housing facility. The course supports proficiency in the Enterprise Green Communities 2015 Criteria’s Design for Resilience points & requirements.
Lessons Learned
Understand your climate risks using leading national risk identification tools.
Assess facility’s particular climate and emergency hazards.
Identify how to future-proof your residential facility using mitigation and adaptation practices.
Know where to go to get more information to build better.
Continuing Education Units (CEUS)
1 hour in
- GBCI
- AIA(HSW)
- Certified Green Professional (NARI & CGP)
- AIBD
- Certified GreenHome Professional (CGHP)
- State Architect / Builder License may be applicable
Instructor: Laurie Schoeman
Laurie Schoeman is the National Program Director of Resilience for Enterprise Community Partners, the nation’s leading affordable housing non-profit intermediary. In this capacity, she oversees Enterprise’s efforts to develop climate-resilient communities around the nation, providing technical, programmatic, and policy support to CDCs, states, and cities working to develop resilience in low-income communities. Her focus on multifamily urban housing has enabled Enterprise to become one of the leading voices in affordable housing resilience around the nation. Laurie specializes in complicated infrastructure initiatives that showcase climate adaptation, as well as economic and social equity to educate the world about cities and the environment. Prior to joining Enterprise, Laurie developed several innovative and catalytic infrastructure projects including San Francisco’s award-winning off-grid EcoCenter at Herons Head Park and New York City’s first rooftop urban-agriculture STEM education lab and first housing-integrated urban farm featuring a state-of-the-art 10,000 hydroponic farm. During her time in California she was an appointed representative to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission citizen’s advisory committee, where she led the effort to develop the nation’s first utility-sponsored environmental justice policy. Laurie lectures frequently on a range of topics including building resilient communities and urban sustainability.
Course Is Free by scrolling past payment form. Pay to access quiz and take it while you watch the session
Course Certificate Cost: $30.00
GHI Members: Free
Webinar CE Education Quiz
