Legal Aid of Southeastern PA

Continued from page 23 destroyed rental units once stood. In fact, a 2019 Legal Services Corporation (LSC) report on disaster-related legal aid finds that legal issues exist as many as five to six years out from the disaster itself. (7)

Certain types of disasters are likely to be on the rise, according to the 2021 Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment conducted by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP). The assessment indicates that extreme storms are expected to be stronger and lead to heavier rains. Cumulative precipitation from storms is expected to increase as well. (1,2)

There is evidence that already vulnerable individuals and communities are disproportionately harmed by disasters. An E&E (Energy & Environment) News analysis of federal flood insurance payments shows that flooding in the U.S. disproportionately harms African American neighborhoods.

A report published in March 2019 by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine found that while urban flooding affects a wide range of demographics, it is most harmful to minorities, low-income residents, and others who have limited resources to handle the damage and disruption.

Pennsylvania’s 2021 Climate Change Impacts Assessment also acknowledges this disparity. For the first time, the 2021 assessment included an analysis of environmental justice and equity. The results highlighted that already disadvantaged populations will face an increased impact as a result of climate change. The report concluded, “As Pennsylvania works to reduce its climate risks, care needs to be taken that these inequitable impacts are addressed, and that adaptation efforts do not inadvertently exacerbate existing inequities.” (2)

Lessons learned from Hurricane Ida show that integration of free legal services is critical to recovery. Without legal advice and representation, disaster survivors may lose out on Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) benefits for which they were eligible, face illegal practices by landlords, or struggle unsuccessfully with insurance claims. Longer term, disasterrelated economic hardships may culminate in foreclosure or bankruptcy. The disparate impact on already vulnerable individuals and communities heightens the importance of access to free legal assistance.

Michelle R. Dempsky, LASP Staff Attorney & co-chair of MBA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, answers a question about landlord-tenant law at a Town Hall for Hurricane Ida survivors hosted by ACLAMO at Calvary Baptist Church of Norristown on Nov. 16, 2022. She is joined by Brian Baer (at left), Executive Director, The Elevated Studio; Marisol Perez, Realtor & ACLAMO Board of Directors; Daniel Cortes, Managing Immigration Attorney with Community Justice Project.

LASP encourages attorneys to become involved in planning for disasters for themselves and their families, for their legal practices, and for their communities. LASP also asks attorneys to consider pro bono service to help address the long-term legal impacts of Hurricane Ida on individuals with low incomes. To learn more, contact Kathryn Palladino, Esq., LASP Staff Attorney and Montgomery County Pro Bono Coordinator, at 484-209-0892 or kpalladino@lasp.org.

1. Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment 2021 (Summary): https://www.dep.pa.gov/Citizens/climate/Pages/impacts.aspx#:~ :text=Pennsylvanians%20will%20be%20faced%20with,Disease %20due%20to%20climate%20change.

2. Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment 2021 (Full report): http://www.depgreenport.state.pa.us/elibrary/Get Document?docId=3667348&DocName=PENNSYLVANIA%20 CLIMATE%20IMPACTS%20ASSESSMENT%202021.PDF% 20%20%3cspan%20style%3D%22color:green%3b%22%3e%3 c/span%3e%20%3cspan%20style%3D%22color:blue%3b%22% 3e%28NEW%29%3c/span%3e%204/30/2023

3. “Flooding Disproportionately Harms Black Neighborhoods” By Thomas Frank, E&E News (June 2, 2020): https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/flooding-disproportionatelyharms-black-neighborhoods/

4. “One year since Ida: How the remnants of a hurricane still leave Pa. residents paying the price” by Kenny Cooper, Emily Rizzo and Sophia Schmidt (Sep. 1, 2022): https://bit.ly/3cM6nX0

5. “At Covered Bridge Apartments in Perkasie, Ida’s floods were deja vu” by Chris Ullery, Bucks County Courier Times (Sept. 7, 2021): https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/2021/09/07/perkasieapartments-ida-flooding-bucks-county-montgomery-countyhurricane-storm-fema/5700165001/

6. “Hurricane Ida destroyed affordable rental units. Hundreds of families still can’t find new ones. In a fierce competition for housing, lower income residents, especially renters, may face fewer options” by Ellie Rushing, Philadelphia Inquirer (Dec. 9, 2021) https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/housing/hurricane-idapennsylvania-homeless-families-affordable-housing-20211209.html

7. Report of the LSC Disaster Task Force, Legal Services Corporation, LSC Disaster Task Force Executive Summary v2.pdf | Powered by Box https://lsc-live.app.box.com/s/6v5kvcw11yoysxum qechy2zd636vepf2

Full Report: LSC Disaster Task Force Report .pdf | Powered by Box https://lsc-live.app.box.com/s/vro33yjtx6nlgurh434fw9jhb7npz4sh