America Adapts the Climate Change Podcast Fixing FEMA, Fixing HUD: A Former Insider on Disaster Recovery and Climate Adaptation
Jun 15, 2025
Robin Keegan, founder of Spring Industries and former leader at FEMA and HUD, shares her expertise on disaster recovery and climate adaptation. She reveals how federal systems often fail communities during crises and advocates for significant reforms to ensure equitable recovery. Discussing her experiences from the post-Katrina era, Robin emphasizes the critical need for proactive urban planning and community involvement in disaster responses. She also highlights the importance of supporting small businesses as essential players in community resilience efforts.
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Robin's Katrina Recovery Journey
- Robin Keegan, a New Orleans native, felt a strong call to contribute to recovery after Hurricane Katrina.
- Her diverse background includes religious studies and urban planning, driving her focus on community service and systemic improvements.
Federal Recovery Framework Explained
- The federal disaster recovery system is governed by the Stafford Act with FEMA as the primary agency.
- Recovery involves over 30 federal agencies coordinating a whole-of-government response to disasters.
Threats to Disaster Recovery Capacity
- The current administration proposes drastic budget cuts to HUD and related disaster recovery programs.
- These cuts, leadership losses, and program eliminations undermine disaster preparedness and response capacity.