With the National Flood Insurance Program deeply in debt, homeowners are struggling to afford new insurance rates resulting from legislation passed in 2012. The House could still block the Senate bill that would delay more rate increases.
Since the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 ended subsidies that held down flood insurance rates for more than a million homeowners across the United States, homeowners around the country have struggled to adjust to the resulting rate increases.
According to an article by Ramsey Cox, the Senate is proceeding with legislation that will delay a required increase in flood insurance premiums.
“The bill delays a required increase in flood insurance premiums for some homes, and would allow homeowners to maintain existing flood insurance subsidies even after their homes are sold.” Supporters of the bill say these changes are needed while the government studies whether homeowners can afford these higher costs.
“The bill would delay this trigger until the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does an affordability study. FEMA would also have to certify that its flood maps are accurate — a process that FEMA has said could take three years.”
But like most federal legislation, the Senate version is expected to meet resistance in the House: “With nine Republican cosponsors, the legislation is expected to pass in the Senate, but it’s unclear if Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) will allow a vote in the House.”
FULL STORY: Senate begins amendment process on flood insurance

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie