FHA Issues Temporary Waiver for New Single-Family Flood Elevation Requirements
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has announced a temporary waiver for new construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas as part of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard requirements issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for single-family construction that took effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
The waiver means that the new elevation standard requiring that the lowest floor of new construction be at least two feet above the base flood elevation has been rescinded. This waiver applies to FHA-insured mortgages on new single-family construction.
In making its announcement, FHA said: “Without this partial waiver, the new MPS (minimum property standards) required elevation standard would have limited the land available for development and increased the cost of construction for FHA-insured single-family properties, thereby contributing to the insufficient supply of new construction housing and rising home prices.”
The partial waiver will be in effect for one year until Feb. 21, 2026.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
Jan 16, 2026
Builder Sentiment Loses Ground at Start of 2026Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes fell two points to 37 in January, according to the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today.
Housing Affordability
Jan 15, 2026
NAHB Participates in Capitol Hill Housing ForumNAHB Chief Lobbyist Lake Coulson participated in a Housing Affordability Roundtable hosted by the New Democrat Coalition. Lawmakers and housing stakeholders discussed ways to address affordability challenges and enact federal housing finance reforms.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Jan 16, 2026
December Mortgage Activity Softens Even as Rates EaseMortgage application activity declined in December despite a modest easing in mortgage rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, a measure of total mortgage application volume, fell 5.3% from November on a seasonally adjusted basis, though it remained 47.1% higher than a year ago.
Economics
Jan 16, 2026
Builder Sentiment Loses Ground at Start of 2026Builder confidence moved lower to start the year as affordability concerns continue to weigh heavily with buyers, and builders continue to contend with rising construction costs.
Economics
Jan 15, 2026
Remodeling Market Sentiment Strengthens in Fourth Quarter of 2025In the third quarter of 2025, the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 64, increasing four points compared to the previous quarter.