Hurricane Helene and the Housing Crisis: How the Storm Exacerbated Housing Insecurity in the Southeast

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm that struck the Southeastern U.S. in late September 2024, was more than just a devastating weather event—it was a crisis multiplier for housing insecurity. While extreme weather affects all communities, its impact is disproportionately severe for low-income and rural residents, many of whom were already struggling with housing instability before the storm.

From Florida’s Big Bend to the Appalachian foothills, Helene displaced tens of thousands of people, destroying homes, rental properties, and entire mobile home communities. In the months since, the stark reality has set in: many of these residents have no clear path to rebuilding or finding stable housing. As climate disasters become more frequent, we must urgently rethink how we protect and house our most vulnerable populations.

A Housing Disaster in the Making

Even before Hurricane Helene, the Southeast faced a worsening housing crisis, particularly in rural areas where affordable housing is scarce, wages are low, and infrastructure is underfunded. The storm exposed and intensified these vulnerabilities.

Florida’s Forgotten Coast: A Crisis in Rural Rental Housing

In Florida’s Big Bend region, where Helene made landfall, affordable housing was already in short supply. Many residents rely on manufactured homes, which bore the brunt of the storm’s 140-mph winds and 15-foot storm surge. In Taylor, Dixie, and Wakulla counties, entire mobile home parks were wiped out. Renters—many of whom worked in agriculture, tourism, and service industries—were left homeless with few relocation options and no financial safety net.

With the region’s limited rental market, displaced residents face skyrocketing rents as landlords capitalize on reduced housing supply. Meanwhile, local governments are overwhelmed, struggling to coordinate emergency housing while managing the storm’s broader economic impact.

Georgia and the Carolinas: Rural Homeowners Left Without Rebuilding Options

As Helene moved inland, it devastated small towns across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, where homeownership rates are high but home values are low. Many rural homeowners lack insurance—or have policies that exclude flood damage—leaving them with no means to repair or replace their homes.

In towns like Waycross, Georgia, and Marion, North Carolina, where median home values are under $150,000, the storm caused massive structural damage, often making homes uninhabitable. For many, the cost of rebuilding exceeds the value of their property, making it financially impossible to recover without government intervention.

The Disproportionate Impact on Poor and Minority Communities

Historically marginalized communities—including Black, Indigenous, and Latino populations in the Southeast—were disproportionately affected by Helene’s destruction. These communities often face:

1. Underinvestment in infrastructure – Poor drainage systems and older housing stock made storm damage even more severe.
2. Lack of financial resources – Many residents do not qualify for traditional loans or FEMA aid, which disproportionately denies assistance to low-income applicants.
3. Limited relocation options – Housing shortages and rising rental costs make it difficult for displaced residents to find new homes within their communities.

In places like the Gullah Geechee corridor along the South Carolina coast, residents are at risk of permanent displacement due to a combination of storm damage and rising property values that incentivize developers to buy up land rather than rebuild for local residents.

What Needs to Happen Now

Hurricane Helene made it clear that the current disaster recovery system is failing the most vulnerable. We need immediate action to address both short-term housing needs and long-term solutions to prevent future displacement.

1. Emergency Housing for Displaced Residents

Tens of thousands of people remain without stable housing. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state governments must expedite temporary housing solutions, including:

1. Expanding rental assistance programs for low-income residents.
2. Converting vacant buildings, hotels, and unused government properties into temporary housing.
3. Investing in manufactured housing communities with storm-resistant designs.

2. Disaster Recovery Funds That Prioritize Low-Income Households

Federal disaster aid often favors homeowners with insurance while renters and low-income homeowners are left behind. Congress must reform disaster relief programs to:

1. Expand eligibility for FEMA aid to include more renters and homeowners without traditional insurance.
2. Increase funding for community-based rebuilding programs that serve low-income areas.
3. Provide direct cash assistance to displaced families rather than relying solely on loan programs.

3. Long-Term Investment in Affordable Housing

The Southeast was already facing an affordable housing crisis before Helene. Now, the problem is worse. To prevent future disasters from pushing more people into homelessness, we need:

1. Stronger building codes that require affordable housing developments to be climate-resilient.
2. Public investment in nonprofit and community-led housing developments that prioritize affordability over profit.
3. Expanded rural housing programs to ensure that small-town residents have access to safe, affordable homes.

4. Climate Resilience Planning for Vulnerable Communities

Climate disasters will continue to threaten housing security in the Southeast. State and local governments must:

1. Fund flood mitigation projects in rural areas and low-income neighborhoods.
2. Adopt policies that prevent disaster-related displacement by protecting existing affordable housing.
3. Ensure that rebuilding efforts center on the needs of affected communities, not just developers and wealthy newcomers.

A Call to Action

Hurricane Helene was not just a natural disaster—it was a housing crisis in motion. Without immediate action, thousands of displaced families will be forced into poverty, homelessness, or permanent relocation, further eroding the fabric of rural and low-income communities.

Disaster recovery cannot continue to favor wealthier homeowners and large-scale developers while leaving the most vulnerable behind. Policymakers, aid organizations, and the public must demand a more equitable approach to rebuilding—one that prioritizes stable, affordable, and climate-resilient housing for all.

The choice is clear: either we act now, or we allow Hurricane Helene’s destruction to define the future of housing in the Southeast for generations to come.