NSF BRITE Synergy: Developing and Validating a Framework for Measuring Resilience in Low-Income Housing in the Post-Pandemic World

Description:
This NSF-funded project (Award #2135713) investigates resilience in low-income households by examining energy efficiency, appliance use, and adaptive mechanisms among marginalized communities, with a focus on Pennsylvania's urban centers. The research aims to establish pathways to disaster-resilient, healthy, and sustainable cities, where the voices and agency of vulnerable populations are prioritized. Central objectives include identifying resilience capacities, well-being outcomes, and existing adaptive management mechanisms, especially concerning access to efficient appliances and alternative energy sources for low-income households during extreme weather events.

Data Reuse:
This dataset, which spans three rounds of data collection (May 2023, May 2024, and September 2024) targeting the low-income communities in Pennsylvania, is valuable for comparison with U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) data and includes questions similar to those from the Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) for comparability. This dataset can be used to investigate household appliance usage, resilience during extreme temperatures, and adoption rates of energy-efficient appliances. The dataset can further inform policies on energy access and efficiency in low-income settings, especially as they pertain to marginalized urban communities.

Uniqueness:
Unlike national datasets, this research integrates community voices and focuses on marginalized, low-income urban populations, revealing their unique energy resilience challenges. Additionally, the study’s structure—collecting data across multiple seasons—enables a nuanced analysis of seasonal influences on energy resilience and appliance use.

Audience:
This dataset will benefit academic researchers in sustainability, policymakers, and public health advocates interested in disaster resilience and low-income energy access. It is also intended for use by local community organizations that support sustainable urban development and resilience-building for vulnerable populations.

Data Collection and Anonymity:
Survey distribution and data collection were conducted in partnership with Centiment, a third-party research company that recruits demographically targeted panels for academic and applied research. For this study, Centiment distributed the survey to residents of low-income, flood-prone communities in Florida, based on geographic and socio-economic criteria specified by the research team.
All personally identifiable information (PII), such as IP addresses, email addresses, and precise geolocation data, was removed prior to uploading the dataset to DesignSafe. The dataset has been reviewed to ensure participant anonymity in accordance with DesignSafe data protection policies and applicable ethical standards.