6.1.1. Immediate Living Conditions

As a result of Hurricane Maria, the participants reported experiencing a significant amount of loss and damage. Specifically, two individuals reported losing their homes as Maria demolished the entire structure, while the others provided an account of the considerable loss and damages they endured, inclusive of the complete loss of their roof which in turn led to water-damaged flooring, walls, doors, furniture, cupboards, appliances and electronics, as well as compromised electrical systems. Participants also reported losing windows and water tanks, and in the case of those who were self-employed, losing their source of income because Hurricane Maria destroyed their place of work.

As expected, these losses and damages disrupted the lives of the participants and in most cases caused significant displacement. In the days and weeks following Maria, most of the participants found themselves needing a place to stay and reported their struggles with finding one that was safe and secure. Consistent with their accounts, some found themselves having to move from place to place, either because of safety issues, family issues, lack of funds, lack of food for the children, over-crowdedness or simply to avoid having to deal with the wreckage caused to the home by the hurricane. Altogether, the women reported being forced to stay with family members or at a hurricane shelter, to live in their car or in a tent or to rent a room, with most of them reporting having moved as many as three to five times before they were able to settle.
