Community Resilience


Community resilience encompasses the collective capacity of a community to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations such as natural disasters, economic crises, and social upheavals. It involves community systems, infrastructure, social and economic networks, local government responsiveness, and the community's ability to adapt and transform in the face of challenges.


Resilience enables communities to withstand and recover from crises, minimizes long-term disruptions to daily life, supports economic stability, and safeguards community well-being. Communities benefit from collective resilience and there are both immediate (post-disaster) and long-term effects. Community resilience is associated with reduced mortality rates, lower economic losses, and improved mental health among populations facing adversity.


Recent natural disasters (e.g., Hurricane Katrina), public health emergencies (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic), and economic downturns (e.g., the 2008 financial crisis) highlight the urgent need to foster community resilience. These events have increased awareness and encouraged efforts to build resilience through improved planning, resource allocation, and community engagement. Yet, many U.S. communities have a long way to go in terms of achieving community resilience and preparedness, and resilience differs significantly between communities


Low-income communities, communities of color, elderly populations, and those in geographically vulnerable areas stand to benefit most from efforts to build resilience. These groups often face higher risks and slower recovery due to limited resources, systemic inequalities, and poorer access to support systems. Addressing the unique needs of marginalized communities and distributing resources and support equitably is critical to advancing equity in resilience-building efforts. It is crucial to involve diverse community voices in resilience planning and decision-making processes to ensure that the measures taken are effective, equitable, and sustainable over the long term.


Policymakers can build community resilience by advancing policies that emphasize sustainable development and disaster preparedness, promoting access to resources, and bolstering social support networks. They can also facilitate collaborative partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society to implement comprehensive climate adaptation strategies and equitable community development. Additionally, leveraging technology and data-driven approaches can enhance monitoring, response, and recovery efforts, ensuring communities are better equipped to withstand and recover from challenges. Community-based resilience-building efforts can foster transformative change by leveraging social capital and utilizing arts and culture to support affected communities. Building community power and leadership through empowering political and economic growth will support collaborative decision-making. 


Resources & Tools


In Solidarity with Maui: Taking Action for Wildfire Response, Recovery, and Prevention
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Published on 08/24/2023
Staff Pick!
Home page of the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit
Tool - Toolkit/toolbox
Screen capture of Repository of Resilience Measures
Repository of Resilience Measures
Resource - Data Bank/repository
Brought to you by Harvard University T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Screen shot of the front cover of the report
Tackling America’s Mental Health and Addiction Crisis Through Primary Care Integration
Resource - Report
Brought to you by Bipartisan Policy Center Inc.
Screen capture of Three Essential Ways to Provide Support Community Rebuilding After Disasters
Three Essential Ways to Provide Support Community Rebuilding After Disasters
Resource - Blog
Brought to you by Peak Grantmaking Inc.
Screenshot of the front page of The Social Framework
The Social Framework
Resource - Website/webpage
Brought to you by Foundation for Social Connection
Cover page for Resilience Strategies for Communities at Risk
Resilience Strategies for Communities at Risk
Resource - Report
Brought to you by Urban Land Institute
Published on 01/01/2014
Screen grab of NACCHO: Community Resilience
NACCHO: Community Resilience
Resource - Website/webpage
Cover page of A Guide for Building a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration
A Guide for Building a Sustainable and Resilient Collaboration
Resource - Guide/handbook
Brought to you by Tamarack Institute
Screenshot of the front page of Revitalize Parks to Strengthen Democracy
Revitalize Parks to Strengthen Democracy
Resource - Blog
Brought to you by SSIR
Screen grab of ScienceDirect: Community Resilience
ScienceDirect: Community Resilience
Resource - Website/webpage
Cover page for guide to assessing climate change risk
A Guide for Assessing Climate Change Risk
Resource - Guide/handbook
Brought to you by Urban Land Institute
Screen grab of Community Resilience Framework
Community Resilience Framework
Resource - Guide/handbook
Screenshot of the front page of Social Connection Measurement Tools Inventory
Social Connection Measurement Tools Inventory
Resource - Data Bank/repository
Brought to you by Foundation for Social Connection
Screenshot of the front page of When Neighbors Choose How to Spend Philanthropic Dollars
When Neighbors Choose How to Spend Philanthropic Dollars
Resource
Brought to you by Next City
Screen capture of Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience web page
Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience
Resource - Website/webpage
Brought to you by ODPHP
Public art on a seating space. One seat has text painted on it that reads
Belonging and Civic Muscle During COVID-19
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
A picture of two connected buildings with many windows and an orange/ yellow tree in the top left of picture
Enterprise Community Partners advance well-being through the power of home
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
A photo collage of people
An Introduction to Social Capital
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
cover of pain in the nation report
Our Need for a National Resilience Strategy
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Published on 11/21/2017
This American Life Podcast Page
Lower 9 + 10
Story - Audio
two motorcyclists at a train crossing in a small town Photo by craig kerwien on Unsplash
Planning for Healthy, Equitable Communities
Story - Original
Brought to you by Community Commons
Screen capture of National Risk Index map
National Risk Index
Tool - Data/mapping Tool
Staff Pick!
Cover page of Regional Resilience Toolkit
Regional Resilience Toolkit
Tool - Toolkit/toolbox

Data & Metrics


 Related Topics


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Climate Crisis

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Sustainability

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Humane Housing