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California Wildfires Destroy Homes and Lives. Why Do Regulators Encourage Building in Fire Zones?

Christian Britschgi

November 14, 2018 |

Reason |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

In California, Proposition 103 – a decades-old ballot initiative – disincentivizes homeowners affected by wildfires to rebuild in less fire-prone zones. The proposition – which can only be reversed through another ballot initiative – bars insurers from raising their rates based on future risks, meaning people who live in fire zones are not paying a higher rate. Furthermore, because of these regulations and the lack of response to the problem, insurance agencies often err on the side of caution and won’t sell policies at all, leaving some people uninsured entirely.

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Houston Looks for a Smarter, More Equitable Path to Hurricane Recovery

Linda Poon

October 22, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Houston, Texas

The city of Houston is changing its approach to measuring the full scope of damage from Hurricane Harvey so it can get help where it is most needed and improve future flood mitigation. Using data from numerous sources, Civis Analytics found unmet housing needs were far greater than initially recorded and low-income areas were hit disproportionately harder, even though recovery funding often goes to areas with higher housing values. Now city officials are working to implement solutions based on the data in order to allocate limited funds where they will be most effective.

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Houses intact after Hurricane Michael were often saved by low-cost reinforcements

Patricia Sullivan

October 17, 2018 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Blountstown, Florida

Small, cost-effective improvements to home construction were often the difference between houses that suffered small amounts of damage from Florida hurricanes and those that were destroyed. Knowing to ask for extra nails, strong windows, and hurricane clips for their roof, home owners can not only save their homes but save money from decreased insurance and energy costs.

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On Hurricane Maria Anniversary, Puerto Rico Is Still in Ruins

Frances Robles Jugal K. Patel

September 20, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Punta Santiago, Puerto Rico

FEMA’s response to Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Irma has been the “longest sustained domestic airborne food and water mission in the nation’s history. The agency has never distributed more food or installed more generators.” However, due to bureaucracy and delayed decision making, there are still thousands of Puerto Ricans who have not received aid, or were underserved.

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These Cottages Were Built to Defy Storms—and Pricey Rent—in the Florida Keys

Nicole Javorsky

August 27, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Florida

Affordable housing for Florida Keys residents is often vulnerable to damage or destruction by extreme weather. The Monroe County Land Trust has created housing that is both affordable for county residents and built to withstand floods and wind.

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At a clinic for torture survivors, an Iranian refugee works to build a new life

Fahrinisa Campana

August 14, 2018 |

Public Radio International |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Greece, Athens

Holistic care can help torture survivors begin healing from the physical and psychological consequences of their experiences. Médecins Sans Frontières has provided services to 600 refugees and migrants in need at a single center in downtown Athens. “Some of these memories are unforgettable, but being here is very helpful,” said one patient who experienced torture and captivity in Iran.

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How New Orleans Is Helping Its Students Succeed

David Leonhardt

July 15, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New Orleans, Louisiana

Calling New Orleans' post-Katrina school reform "the most ambitious education overhaul in modern America," journalist David Leonhardt outlines what he sees as the two main pillars holding up New Orleans' success -- autonomy and accountability. Leonhardt writes, "New Orleans is a great case study partly because it avoids many of the ambiguities of other education reform efforts. The charters here educate almost all public-school students, so they can’t cherry pick." Can other districts, who aren't starting from scratch, learn from the city's remarkable progress?

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The Bricks Helping to Rebuild Gaza

Elizabeth Davies Harriet Noble

July 02, 2018 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: Palestine, Gaza Strip

To rebuild Gaza, Green Cake manufactures construction blocks out of locally-available ash and rubble. It’s a low-cost and reliable alternative to importing supplies from Israel.

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Solar Libre: Family Affair

Melanie La Rosa

June 19, 2018 |

Latino USA |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: Puerto Rico

Hurricane Maria left many properties and people in Puerto Rico completely devastated. One family decided to do what they could to begin the reconstruction process on their own by forming Solar Libre Puerto Rico - a volunteer organizing that brings emergency solar to the region.

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What Alabama Can Teach You about Storm Resilience

Emily Nonko

June 18, 2018 |

Next City |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mobile, Alabama

After witnessing the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina, changemakers in Alabama took control of creating a more accountable insurance system that valued weather-resilient home construction.

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