Homeless Veterans

Disaster Preparedness Toolkit

Disaster Preparedness to Promote Community Resilience: Information and Tools for Homeless Service Providers and Disaster Professionals

To view the toolkit, please click on the following links:

• A Quick Glance at the Toolkit - A 3-page snapshot of the toolkit
• Disaster Preparedness to Promote Community Resilience: Introduction to Promoting Community Resilience - A concise overview and introduction to the toolkit.
• Disaster Preparedness to Promote Community Resilience: Toolkit and Appendices -  A robust toolkit on disaster preparedness.

The Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC) within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pleased to announce the release of a new toolkit, the Disaster Preparedness to Promote Community Resilience: Information and Tools for Homeless Service Providers and Disaster Professionals.

Background/Purpose: Individuals and families experiencing homelessness are among the most vulnerable members of our society. They become even more vulnerable during natural disasters or public health emergencies, particularly if homeless service organizations are damaged or unavailable. Enhancing preparedness and continuity planning for healthcare providers and homeless service providers can assist in reducing potential disruption of services.

The toolkit provides guidance for identifying and collaborating with partners to address disaster response and recovery needs of homeless individuals. It outlines strategies to engage in preparedness and minimize service disruption from a disaster. Furthermore, it specifies how to enhance the capacity of healthcare settings with providers experienced in serving people who are homeless, and provide expanded care following a disaster or public health emergency.

This toolkit offers resources and guidance to help emergency and public health officials, homeless service providers, and health care providers connect with each other and plan for the disaster needs of people experiencing homelessness in their communities. The Toolkit is divided into three sections:

• Creating an Inclusive Emergency Management System - Section 1 provides guidance for identifying and collaborating with partners to address disaster response and recovery needs of homeless individuals.

• Guidance for Homeless Service Providers: Planning for Service Continuity - Section 2 provides strategies, tools and guidance for homeless service providers to engage in preparedness and minimize service disruption from a disaster.

• Guidance for Health Care Providers - Section 3 provides guidance to enhance the capacity of healthcare settings with providers experienced in serving people who are homeless, and provide expanded care following a disaster or public health emergency.

The toolkit is a joint project of the Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC) in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) Office in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Together, the three agencies and their partners consulted with over 50 subject matter experts with experience in emergency management, public health, and homeless services to distill best practices and lessons learned from communities in addressing homeless disaster needs. The toolkit is a significant new resource to enhance communities’ preparedness in the face of natural disasters and public health emergencies. It helps ensure that Veterans and others experiencing homelessness will receive the care that they need during these events.

For more information, please contact Ms. June Gin at the Veterans Emergency Management Evaluation Center (VEMEC):  june.gin@va.gov.

About Us | Research | Models | Education | Special Projects | GPD-TA

return to top