We took young Texans’ questions straight to the candidates. Here’s what they said.

“Our state and federal agencies have proven unwilling to adapt to the growing threat of climate change, and real Texans are suffering the consequences. Where there should be a straightforward process for submitting and recouping claims, there is instead a backlog of cases being tossed across multiple agencies, all denying full responsibility. We must streamline natural disaster response and adequately task and resource responding departments to efficiently take action when these situations arise.”

“As we’ve seen over and over, from the hurricanes of the past to Hurricane Harvey last year, government’s response to natural disasters is usually slow and ineffective at best. Free markets offer better, faster options to help people affected by such awful circumstances. To allow free market biding process they can be held accountable for costs and delivery times unlike the governments attitude of I will get to it when I can.”

“Texans that had insurance and financial resources recovered more quickly that Texans that did not. Our leadership did not put a high priority on helping Texans without means recover quickly. Texas needs to upgrade and improve our response systems when a storm hits, with emphasis on helping low income Texans recover quickly as well. It is essential that low income Texans be able to live in their communities and not flee. It's the right thing to do, and it maintains our economic infrastructure.”

“Mostly because of the amount of damage that is done. Clean up sadly takes time, especially when we are often dealing with sewage, disease and safety issues. Also many victims are awaiting insurance claims or had not insurance to rebuild. Sadly, loss of life and property can happen in the blink of an eye during these catastrophic events and rebuild takes far longer. But as Texans we pull together to help each other as individuals.”

“Texas must work with federal officials to ensure that state funds spent on housing are reimbursed, enabling the state to tap the rainy-day fund as a stop-gap until federal funds are received and ensuring that people get housing relief sooner. The GLO must retain and train staff to apply for federal grants quickly and more effectively administer GLO housing programs. If the Rockport Lions Club rebuilt 20 houses in 4 months the GLO can do better than 2 houses in 4 months with better leadership.”

“We were not efficient with the funds through FEMA. We had too many politicians and not enough accountants dispersing the funds. Lousiana did not have these same issues. As the conversation keeps going towards the wall, it would have been nice to have extra contractors to help out.”

“Housing is one of the biggest challenges during a major disaster, such as hurricane Harvey, largely due to bureaucracy and burdensome regulation. One solution would be; if the federal government were to expand the definition of what is permissible for reconstruction funding within FEMA programs, we could investigate and consider using new technologies for housing construction which are less expensive, more resilient, and can be implemented faster than traditional housing construction techniques.”

“It's unacceptable that a year after Harvey, I meet people who are still struggling to return home. We need to equip and fund local governments to respond to disasters quickly and streamline processes so localities can receive disaster funding immediately. We can also incentivize state governments to create earmarked funds for disasters that are reimbursable by FEMA. As a Senator, I will commit to providing oversight of HUD and FEMA so that Texans get the help they need, when they need it.”

“While not an issue I have studied policy prescriptions for, I personally helped arrange housing for multiple families without any government support, and know plenty of people who did a lot more than I. Our community did an amazing job in a tough situation.”

“One of the biggest challenges after a flooding disaster is cutting through the bureaucracy in Washington. Our state leadership and congressional delegation did a good job in securing assistance from FEMA and from HUD which oversee housing in the immediate and long term aftermath, respectively. But we can always do better and I think the best way to improve the process is to look for ways to streamline the federal agencies and improve coordination between them and their state counterparts.”

“Scope is usually the biggest issue with national disasters. Thousands of people simultaneously need water, food, shelter and medicine. The Red Cross, FEMA and Army Corp of Engineers work with local government to prioritize humanitarian and rebuilding efforts to ensure the most good is done for the largest number of people. There are also proactive steps, such as ensuring that chemical plants aren’t built in residential neighborhoods potentially maximizing damage and hindering rebuilding.”

“Several factors are adding to the time storm victims are out of their permanent housing. One obvious challenge is that the funding process has been too slow and funds are limited. Better preparation, transparency, information, insurance, and FEMA assistance can help speed up the process.”

“Federal agencies unfortunately move at a glacial pace. I am using the leverage of my position on Appropriations to pressure HUD and other agencies to get disaster relief dollars out the door and into the hands of people who need it as quickly as possible.”

“It is all about the red tape. I will do everything in my power to improve the system to reduce the red tape. It can only be fixed through personal leadership of elected officials.”

“Each situation for hurricane victims is completely different. This question is entirely too vague. The solution is unique to each victim.”

“The reality of storms is stunning, but we can’t let it stun how quickly we respond. We must have strong, up-to-date emergency plans in place, be well-equipped to implement them and ensure agencies at all levels are ready to coordinate. Our leaders in Washington must understand the importance of swift action in all of our communities. Lives and livelihoods depend on each minute. There’s no easy answer, and I’ll fight like hell in Congress to ensure disaster relief is timely and fully funded.”

“Unfortunately, Texas leaders were not prepared for the multiple natural disasters Texas has recently experienced. By not accepting climate change, leaders left Texans vulnerable. In the aftermath of Harvey, it is clear relief has not occurred fast enough. Local leaders should be entrusted with determining the best way to deliver fair and equitable relief to their constituents. It is the responsibility of federal and state leaders to get them the resources they need without any delay.”

“I believe that if housing issues were left to a community with funding from higher government, and if community were given proper support in developing disaster planning, the problem would be solved more quickly Frankly though, I believe it is more important to get business back in business, since business continuity enables the community and its citizens to normalize more quickly and minimizes the disruption to lives that is cause by natural disaster.”