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requiring that the lowest floor of new construction be at least two feet above the base flood elevation has been rescinded.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
Nov 10, 2026
Which Stage of Construction Takes the Most Time When Building a Single-Family Home?
According to the latest NAHB/Well Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey results, interior finishes (drywall, interior doors, painting, cabinets, countertops, plumbing fixtures, flooring, etc.) take an average of 6.4 weeks to complete, longer than any other major stage of single-family construction.
Advocacy
Nov 09, 2026
NAHB Mourns the Passing of Nicolas “Nick” P. Retsinas
Nicolas “Nick” P. Retsinas, a leader in local and national housing policy and advocacy, passed away last week at the age of 79.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Nov 10, 2026
Consumer Credit Growth Picks Up in the Third Quarter of 2026
Consumer credit growth accelerated in the third quarter of 2026, with both revolving and nonrevolving credit increasing at their fastest quarterly rates since 2022. Total outstanding consumer credit reached $5.22 trillion, continuing an upward trend that has strengthened over the past year.
Economics
Nov 10, 2026
Inflation Persists in October
Inflation remained elevated in October even as energy prices eased, raising expectations of another Fed rate hike. Shelter returned as the largest driver of headline inflation, accounting for over 30% of the monthly increase. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy components, rose by 0.3% for the third consecutive month, suggesting broad-based price pressures across the economy.
Economics
Nov 09, 2026
Residential Building Worker Wage Growth Rebounds, but Real Wages Continue to Decline
Wage growth for residential building workers showed signs of a modest rebound in September 2026 following a sharp slowdown earlier in the year. According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nominal wage growth picked up from its June pace, although it remained relatively modest.