By educating residents in advance, owners and agents can help reduce displacement-related hardship and improve disaster preparedness across assisted housing communities.

The recent flooding across Western Washington has revealed how vulnerable renters can be when disaster strikes, and how devastating the financial impact can be without proper insurance coverage. Historic floods displaced families, destroyed personal belongings, and left many renters paying thousands of dollars out of pocket for losses they assumed would be covered.

Many of the affected residents were not aware that their homes were in flood zones. In Washington State, landlords are not currently required to disclose floodplain status to renters, leaving many households unprepared. As a result, renters did not realize that standard renters insurance does not cover losses from natural flooding and that separate flood insurance is needed for that type of protection.

For HUD-assisted households, many of whom are already financially vulnerable, the loss of furniture, clothing, and essential household items can be life-altering. While property insurance protects the building itself, it does not cover residents’ personal belongings. Renters insurance, and where applicable flood insurance, can provide critical protection and peace of mind during fires, floods, and other natural disasters.

Owners and agents play an important role in helping residents understand these risks. Proactively sharing information about renters insurance options, coverage limitations, and disaster preparedness can help residents make informed decisions and reduce hardship when emergencies occur.

Encourage your residents to review their renters insurance coverage and consider flood insurance if applicable.