Washington Report

Advocacy Updates from Washington D.C.

HUD Floodplain Elevation Standard

On October 28, 2016, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed to raise its standards for FHA insurance in high risk flood zones. Currently new homes must be built to the 100-year or base flood elevation (BFE) but the agency is proposing to add two feet for floodplain new construction or substantial rehabilitation. While NAR is open to considering a more conservative construction standard to reduce flood insurance rates and avoid other flood-related issues with selling property down the road, NAR does not believe the agency has met its analytical responsibilities under Executive Order 12866 nor provided the data to justify setting the standard two feet above BFE. NAR urged HUD to provide the required cost benefit analysis, consider alternatives, and extend the comment period so there will be sufficient opportunity to evaluate and comment on the proposed rule.

Read NAR's comments

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