NAR Slams FEMA on NFIP Ruling

Dec 27, 2018

Reconstruction costs in states that were subject to natural disasters between 2016 and 2018 increased from 5.6 percent to 7.6 percent from 2016 to 2018

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) responded angrily to a new opinion issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that disallows new or renewed flood insurance policies during the ongoing partial shutdown of the federal government.

FEMA’s ruling followed the last-minute renewal of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which was set to expire on Dec. 21 but has been renewed through May 31, 2019. Shannon McGahn, NAR’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, criticized FEMA’s action as being “contrary to Congressional intent” and dangerous to homeowners that rely on the NFIP.

“Last week, Congress passed legislation to fully reauthorize the NFIP through May,” said McGahn. “However, today’s surprise FEMA ruling jeopardizes tens of thousands of home sales across America, as NAR estimates up to 40,000 closings are disrupted each month that the NFIP cannot issue flood insurance policies. NAR will continue carefully reviewing this ruling and we remain in communication with Congress and FEMA to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.”

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Phil Hall

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Dec 27, 2018

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