The primary purpose of this research is to investigate the processes involved in the sheltering of victims of the october 1, 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake. Sheltering will be examined both from the perspective of victims who have utilized various shelter arrangements as a result of damage to their permanent housing and from the perspective of agencies and organizations involved in emergency response to the earthquake and the sheltering of victims. A survey of victims of the earthquake will be conducted. Results of the research will be usefyl to organizations charged with the responsibility for providing disaster assistance to victim populations.